Thank you for being here
I wish times were better
The world is in a bad way, and most of us are feeling psychically burdened. I know I am, and I suspect many of you are, too.
Tempers and emotions are so high that I’m feeling uncharacteristically reticent about saying (writing) much. Some longer essays I’ve been writing in my head are still there, but they won’t come right now. They’ll come in time. I regret not being able to give you something more meaty in writing right now.
Just getting ready to do the Sunday night show has been more difficult than I can remember (don’t worry, it’s being made) for a while.
As someone prone to neurotic rumination, I see the negative before I see the positive. This means I have to actively remind myself to acknowledge the good, not just the bad.
You are the good, readers. Kevin and I are lucky enough to have a show, and this accompanying writing space, that enough people like that they subscribe. Some of you even pay!
Thank you for being one of the good things. Thank you for being interested in what we have to say. Thank you especially for helping pay for it.
Feel free to use the comments to talk about anything you like. Got something uplifting or even just diverting and amusing? Share it with everyone.
Ten years ago, I was a newly single empty-nester. I bought a house in a small town in rural Maryland, and my assumption was that I would live in this house, alone, for the rest of my life.
And then I acquired a 'gentleman friend' who by and by was forced to abandon the old-house-rehab project where he had been eking out a rough existence, and he came to live with me. He brought with him a connection to the real, physical, blue collar world and a reason to get out into that world. He can also lift way more than I can and knows how to work on cars. 😄
And then my youngest daughter lost her living arrangement sharing an apartment with a couple, when that couple succumbed to the Covid mental-health onslaught and split up. And she came to live here, bringing a roomful of art supplies, youthful enthusiasm, sweetness, and joy. Her superpower is attracting stray cats. We added three to the family, to the consternation of my husky mix.
Last week, my daughter's partner came to live with us. She brought more art supplies and soft sweetness. A box of exotic teabags and two more cats. And this house that ten years ago was my silent retreat from all the turmoil that had placed me here is full of chatter and laughter and art projects and cat hair. Life happened to me all over again, after I thought my chances were over. I've never been happier in my domestic life, even though the outside world appears to have been deposited in a dumpster, soaked in kerosene, and set aflame.
The dog is unavailable for comment.
Athena ate half a can of dog food this morning. She hasn't eaten that much in weeks!