@lovendures I had to laugh at your statement about checking the news. During Trump era especially during 2020, I would check over things on the news and social media before I went to bed so I would be prepared. Then, the first thing I did when I got up was check to see the news to see what awful thing he had said or done or inspired. I told my mom it was going to be such an adjustment (a good one) to get used to not feeling like a disaster was looming every minute of the day. Just seeing normal stories on the news, feel good stories or funny things trending....just seems like I woke up in a surreal parallel world.
Oddly enough it seems a lot of us were .... I was first thing news checker to see what on earth would be hitting us next...and triggered by feelings ( also a domestic violence survivor) of anger, why doesn't anyone else see and stop the evil he is doing etc etc. I wept most of the day yesterday.... as I said... Amanda Gorman's poem shattered me completely .... and I released a lot of angst and stored tensions and sorrow even as I still see former coworkers, friends and acquaintances still reeling on their Kool-Aid high and talking the QAnon Parler garbage. So many of them now say March 4th is the day... here in NW Ga. the conspiracies still race on. We have even had members of our Democratic group have hate mail and more dropped and left in their yards!!! It has been a very difficult 4 years and even more so here in Georgia these past days since Nov.3rds vote. The filth and lies and hates pouring across social media and television and turning neighbor against neighbor and causing me to rethink many relationships and leaving them behind for what was revealed to me about them. I really feel we have a form of PTSD!!!! It will take time to heal... and to believe .. I am currently feeling very very drained from fighting the fight (we did it!!! we flipped Georgia Blue!!!) and somewhat disheartened by the delusion and hatred I still see all around me here and how strong they still believe that propaganda they were fed and ate so eagerly. My Light has flickered and dimmed and soared and shone .... right now? it's wavery but getting brighter every moment that passes. I weep with Joy just hearing and reading about all the plans they are getting moving along for real help for all of us. I do hope and pray that the ones who need to be are held accountable.. all of them.. for..in my eyes there is no true healing without accountability... and I have suffered at the hands of hate too often that they got to walk away from for me to not long for Justice to be served. I am very hopeful that the Light won and is growing brighter with each moment, each day and that we are all joining is sharing our Light to all. I am so thankful for this group of Lights to share and lift each other up as we continue to march forward. Lawd... I am so tired I am rambling.. forgive me. Just know I treasure each Light here that has helped me shine mine. Say a prayer for respite and recovery for me. Thank you again.
I know we have mentioned the Bernie Sanders mittens, I just don't know where right now.
I wanted to add this article to the fun Bernie Memes going round.
The lady who made the mittens is a Vermont teacher and made them from recycled wool sweaters. He got them from her in 2016. She has sold out of them now but encouraged others to shop for similar mittens by others on ESTY.
The Sanders Campaign website is selling the now famous image of him on an organic sweatshirt. All proceeds go to Vermont Meals on Wheels. Due to overwhelming demand, shirts will not be delivered for 3-6 weeks.
Only Sanders could end up providing a windfall for Meals on Wheels from a pair of eco recycled mittens made by a school teacher.
I think this is such a great feel good story. Look at all the good coming from it! Also, I love all the memes. The one with him at Hogwarts is one of my favorites.
Joe has already hit the ground running and it's nice to know there are qualified people now in the administration who aren't there for just their own selfish greed. Scientists and patriots. I feel like the adults are back in the White House. Feels good!
Joe's cabinet picks are mostly a good variety of qualified individuals (and notably many women and people of color!) The only one that rubs me the wrong way is Tom Vilsack. Tom comes from Monsanto, and I assume I don't need to explain why that doesn't sit well with me. But it's the only choice I was not crazy about:
https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2021/politics/biden-cabinet-confirmations-tracker/
Here's a little something from Alice Walker's Garden:
https://alicewalkersgarden.com/2021/01/the-answer-is-yes-joe-biden-and-a-different-weather/
SO much that is happening in the world! I receive (by email) a daily morning wrap up from the NYTimes. This one (I don't always have time to read them) was chock filled with so much info, it would take a while to pick out each topic and place in the correct thread. The top story in it is how virus cases are finally falling more sharply in the US, and the factors that might be behind it.
It's an interesting read about Biden's Climate Plan, Politics, Other big stories here and around the world. There are happy and sad stories - but all poignant. One that made me smile was the reporting that Amanda Gorman, who recited her poem "the Hill We Climb" at Biden's inauguration, will perform at next month's Super Bowl preshow! ?
Today is Imbolg (or Imbolc), the first day of spring in the Gaelic tradition. I don't have any direct Gaelic roots, and in general it can feel strange celebrating the beginning of Spring on Feb. 1st (especially for anyone in the Northeastern US, where it's snowing right now). But I think the fact that an ancient culture marks this date as the beginning of the season of rebirth gives this day an energy of renewal. After all, daylight is lasting noticeably longer and the US has a new president. So happy spring everyone!
Happy Imbolc! A time of seeds, milk, and fertility of life. I hope you have a new beginning after your surgery, Coyote. I pray for the doctors' hands to be guided and for your most benevolent recovery.
FYI to all, as a Gaelic scholar friend of mine told me, "there is no "b" sound in Imbolc — it's IMM-ulk"
To life!
Great note. I still celebrate these traditional days. Let's mark this as the new beginning of a better year. ❤️
I also celebrate the traditional days, though I have to admit that Imbolc and Lughnasadh (August 1) tend to be the two traditional holy-days (holidays) that I tend to forget or overlook. I tend especially toward the solstices and equinoxes.
It's common to light a candle (or several) for Imbolc as a way of lighting the darkness of winter and sympathetically encouraging the longer, brighter days coming in the spring and summer. We're moving out of the darkness and brighter days are ahead!
Stacy Abrams has been nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize!
Ahhh ... "a new beginning" ... that's exactly what I needed to see this morning. From the election until about a week ago, I felt this great need to get offline as much as possible, focus on my well-being and my family's, dwell in only good and positive things. The election results stretching out as long as they did, the lawsuits and lying and scheming, the insurrection (which, honestly, felt like the absolute culmination of all the trauma and anxiety and fears from the past four years, crashing down on our heads), to things in my own family ... 2020 really did go out in 2020 style, and January felt like we hadn't yet completely cut the cord. But the inauguration really did feel like a new page, didn't it? I was terrified that it was being held outdoors, in the open, but it was so beautiful and full of joy and optimism. It was like waking up to sunshine after horrible storms the day before. Anyone else feel like they can finally take deep, healing breaths after holding it for so long?
Community, please enjoy this uplifting YouTube The Women Are Coming! It lifted my heart. And I thank DebbieM for sending it to me. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tUujjBqpxOg
@jeanne-mayell I love that video, it brought tears to my eyes. Yes, the women are coming to right the wrongs! Thank you for sharing.
@mtgal99 @deborah-carey @billy mike -- I know! I hadn't realized that there are so many women heads of state already. And imagining Kamala heading up such a powerful country gives me goosebumps.
Fabulous You Tube video... I had no idea so many women were heading up countries now. Truly does give one hope for the future...Thank you Jeanne!