Early morning news, just shaking my head and muttering expletives. After cuddling Dobbins and a morning walk noticed more snow drops and early crocus...a glimpse of hope . As I have noted before, singing in the women's chorale at Otterbein University has been a respite from the chaos. I am the oldest in the group by 50 years. I feel both supportive and supported ! We sing "Resilience" and "What Happens When A Woman Takes Power" and I am brought to tears! Reading your thoughts and those of the Substack community are sustaining, ...many thanks!
It's not hard to have a US economic blackout for me - I use Ebay quite a bit but thanks to Trump, the conversion on the Aussie dollar is mind-blowing. That plus US postage makes any purchase impossible.
Trouble is, my books sell best via Amazon and so that will grind to a halt. And I buy my audiobooks from Audible.com, so that will be blacked out as well.
You say you don't like change yet you willingly adopted this lovely chap into your world and have made all the accommodation necessary to ensure he is loved and socially respectable. I think you are very flexible indeed! And not just with pliés 🤣
And like so many of us, trying to navigate the Bigger political and global changes-well, that is tricky and soul-sucking. I too am benefiting from the views and analysis here on Substack, both the non-political as well as the political. I so enjoy yours for sane, real-life words (and good music!).
I've still got my fingers crossed for the revolution...🤞
I soak up the non-political like a sponge soaking water. Desperately sometimes as I can't believe what I'm seeing in my lifetime. Ever Pollyanna, and after a beautiful walk along country roads with the pup and with native birds continuing their millenia-long calls, and where the summer grass spikes the legs and where over my shoulder, the sea is rich navy blue in a wonderfully cool southerly change, I have to have hope and believe that ultimately goodness will prevail. As it has done throughout history. There is obviously a lot unsaid in that last bland comment, but hope must be allowed to live and prosper.
Listening to Clapton's smooth soulful voice as I type this reply. I wonder what went on in the minds of our ancestors, how they willed themselves forward with a belief in overcoming the forces working to tear the world down.
It's interesting to think about the kinds of change we absorb into our lives: new babies, new exercise routines, new approaches to the challenges before us. Your new Block and all the ways he is asking you to adapt.
Like you, I don't have the same energy, now, for some of what I used to do, but I'm also doing things I've never done before. I realized yesterday, in a meeting with a coworker, how just five years ago we all felt incredibly untethered by Covid. I remember the feelings of fear I had the first time I had to go shopping for food. I remember how I couldn't tear myself away from the news, how none of us could be sure we or those we love would survive. And here we are with so many similar feelings for entirely different (and arguably more correctable) reasons.
The answers aren't here yet, but I'm comforted by how so many of us are looking for them at the same time.
You look amazing, Prue! Thank you for linking to Chicken Scratch. ❤️
I suspect that during Korea, Vietnam, Cuba etc - our grandparents and parents had the same fears we do. Except this one, with its long tentacles stretching from Russia, through China and the USA to a frightening change in our own Opposition party, has the capacity to alter the world beyond all recognition. As I said to Denyse, unwillingly I might add, we are all on notice. History has so much to teach us but the despots of this world seem not to want to read what happened - they play on Common Man's willingness to follow like sheep.
I listen to Clapton's mellow tones and I thank the stars for such balm.
And for much else besides. It doesn't solve problems but it gives us strength to support the real Resistance as much as we can.
Mustn't let them. There's right and wrong and right is worth defending. Else how would the great wars of the 20th century have been... I hate saying won, it sounds wrong. Let's say settled.
Sigh! I am 75 married to an almost 76 year old and we could despair reading the latest news etc from places all around the world …but we find that we cannot sustain the negative and awful emotions that arise, and so we go more gently into each day. Mindful of each others’ physical and emotional needs and frailties and enjoy, as a much as we can, the moments of sunshine, laughter, conversation and grounding getting outside! I wish you well on this journey of change.l.because it’s true isn’t it..nothing stays the same! Ending as I began. Sigh!
I think we do need to go into each day gently, you are absolutely right. Bit hard with a full-on little pup though, but he's a great diversion.
I try hard to avoid the news but it seeps into our lives by osmosis and I think the world as we know it is under threat. I admire all those on Substack who are creating a Resistance and a Revolution. I think the world cannot take the return of fascism lying down. We have seen what it does and we are all on notice.
On that note, I shall go quietly out the door and down to the beach to walk, whilst our little fellow sleeps and whilst Husband is working at the desk and can babysit. For the rest of what is a blissfully cool day, I shall garden (when the pup's awake) and write while he sleeps - a good day.
Ah, dear Pup. Thank goodness for things which ground us in the here and now. There is so much to fear when we spread our senses more widely. Sigh. But hopefully, somehow, compassion will win out. Take care dear Prue. (You still look wonderful.) Hugs my dear. 🤗🤗
He is an anchor out of all proportion to his size, Beth. We took him for a walk tonight and a southerly buster blew up with horizontal rain and it was his first experience of bad weather. He took to it like a pro. His Dad and Mum meanwhile froze and whilst he leaped into his bed and crashed, we have the heater on (it was 30 last week!) and I'm on the couch under a rug!
I hope compassion will find a way - at the very least, common sense.
I relate to so much here, Prue. First of all change - I am aware too of small changes in my everyday personality these days, maybe since the Pandemic even - I embrace solitude more and more and since I drive so seldom these days, I feel a bit of a flutter when I do even though I used to be (never a fearless highway driver) but often tearing about all over the place with several of my boys' friends smooshed in the back. Now I stock up and tend to go out less, at least into the busy heart of the city I mean. And that pouch! You made me laugh. For me, it was in pockets of various grizzly shorts/pants and when I came to do the laundry, I would be met with a vile powdery grit of (dare I admit it here) my dog's favourite RABBIT treats! The smell, gah! But like babies, this stage will soon pass. Thanks for the uplifting Substack links here too, very helpful for our definite misery over here, far too close to what is going on. Fortunately, Canadians are definitely pulling together. A newsreader observed last week that "The Polar Bear may have been sleeping far too long but now she is awake and VERY grumpy!" Keep on keeping on, Prue xo
Wise and gorgeous writing! I am filled with admiration at your dedicated raising of your little guy…puppy school and walks and training et all, and I know he will grow up to be the wisest and most darling doggo ever!
And thank you so very much for your thoughts on the crisis going on here, which may soon become into a worldwide one, if it hasn’t already. We will need every voice of reason possible.
Oh golly, I hope so. He seemed to display a huge amount of instinctive empathy with someone very dear who was upset today. He's certainly learning at Puppy School very quickly. I think he's quite clever, but then maybe I'm being overly subjective.
Susan, I can't imagine what it must be like living in the States just now. It's like watching a pot boiling on the stove as the liquid bubbles higher and higher until it has nowhere else to go.
Globally? It's there, a dark shadow waiting in the wings. I can't understand why history counts for nothing, because shadows are eventually dissipated by light. Through millenia, it's the way it always ends.
Every day I finish my meditation with Loving Kindness simply because at this point I have nothing else to offer. XXXX
Your little Gnasher *does* sound amazing! Displaying Instinctive empathy at such a young age seems quite extraordinary.
Despite the gloom and doom hovering around, I was immensely cheered by your message: that “shadows are eventually dissipated by light.” My husband is currently reading Winston Churchill’s memoirs, and though both of us know the story of Dunkirk, we were both reminded of the same thing: it seems like a miracle that all those ordinary people stepped up; that all those men were saved. Nothing else explains it. Surely that was light triumphing over darkness.
Thank you, dear Prue, for all the Loving Kindness pointed in the direction of the Good!
Difficult days ahead for many world wide. It's hard to believe what comes out of the mouth of T If you'd be watching whats transporting I a film you'd b saying what a lot of rubbish this would never happen, the President wouldn't say that. He's after money I think. Its so very frightening what is happening over the pond.
I hope goodness will prevail, and we can tackle the bullies. It must be hard for many Americans I know quite a few of my friends hate whats going on
I love your writings Prue it keeps us grounded as to whats really important in life xx ❤️
I went to FB to watch some puppy-training reels and got caught up in revelatory 'shares' on world politics, Libby. The news coming out of North America was so horrifying that I found myself twisted in knots like a rung-out rag. And so I just watched some puppy videos, put up 2 pics of the pup and logged out. I'm now back on the coast where I can quite successfully, if I put my mind to it, put my head in the sand.
That said, I will rally behind anyone who would resist the tyrants of this world. To be frank, I don't think Trump is the danger as much as Musk. Musk is definitely the puppetmaster, in my opinion.
My act of rebellion will commence on 28th Feb, when I will make sure that I buy nothing at all that's made in America or sold by an American Corporation. I shall have to find a new non-US outlet for my books. My best market is the UK via Kindle/Amazon. Kindle/Amazon is American. This is a true dilemma.
I will have to purchase my audio books from elsewhere and find ebooks from other sources. It's going to be a battle. I also think about my Macbook, my i-phone and my MP3Player, about Spotify and Instagram. About Pinterest. About my friends Mary B, Elizabeth Beggins, Tom Ryan, Cindy Hattersley and others, who are all still resident in the States.
Many of my American friends are in despair over T, its unbelievable the stuff coming out from there, Musk, well he is another nutcase and dangerous I think they think they can rule the world between themselves . its such a worry
Oh, the 'Uncarved Block'! He's growing up so fast.
I'm set in my ways, and struggle to adapt to change. Still, I try to control the things I can control, and try not to get too upset about the things I can't. Easier said than done, I'm afraid!
Early morning news, just shaking my head and muttering expletives. After cuddling Dobbins and a morning walk noticed more snow drops and early crocus...a glimpse of hope . As I have noted before, singing in the women's chorale at Otterbein University has been a respite from the chaos. I am the oldest in the group by 50 years. I feel both supportive and supported ! We sing "Resilience" and "What Happens When A Woman Takes Power" and I am brought to tears! Reading your thoughts and those of the Substack community are sustaining, ...many thanks!
Oh, and February 28th...economic blackout!
February 28th! Thank you.
It's not hard to have a US economic blackout for me - I use Ebay quite a bit but thanks to Trump, the conversion on the Aussie dollar is mind-blowing. That plus US postage makes any purchase impossible.
Trouble is, my books sell best via Amazon and so that will grind to a halt. And I buy my audiobooks from Audible.com, so that will be blacked out as well.
It's not going to be nice...
Let's take our dogs for a walk...
You say you don't like change yet you willingly adopted this lovely chap into your world and have made all the accommodation necessary to ensure he is loved and socially respectable. I think you are very flexible indeed! And not just with pliés 🤣
And like so many of us, trying to navigate the Bigger political and global changes-well, that is tricky and soul-sucking. I too am benefiting from the views and analysis here on Substack, both the non-political as well as the political. I so enjoy yours for sane, real-life words (and good music!).
I've still got my fingers crossed for the revolution...🤞
I soak up the non-political like a sponge soaking water. Desperately sometimes as I can't believe what I'm seeing in my lifetime. Ever Pollyanna, and after a beautiful walk along country roads with the pup and with native birds continuing their millenia-long calls, and where the summer grass spikes the legs and where over my shoulder, the sea is rich navy blue in a wonderfully cool southerly change, I have to have hope and believe that ultimately goodness will prevail. As it has done throughout history. There is obviously a lot unsaid in that last bland comment, but hope must be allowed to live and prosper.
Here's to crossed fingers and good music!
I too hang tight onto the hope that goodness will prevail…and that “hope must be allowed to live and prosper.” Amen!!!
Listening to Clapton's smooth soulful voice as I type this reply. I wonder what went on in the minds of our ancestors, how they willed themselves forward with a belief in overcoming the forces working to tear the world down.
It's interesting to think about the kinds of change we absorb into our lives: new babies, new exercise routines, new approaches to the challenges before us. Your new Block and all the ways he is asking you to adapt.
Like you, I don't have the same energy, now, for some of what I used to do, but I'm also doing things I've never done before. I realized yesterday, in a meeting with a coworker, how just five years ago we all felt incredibly untethered by Covid. I remember the feelings of fear I had the first time I had to go shopping for food. I remember how I couldn't tear myself away from the news, how none of us could be sure we or those we love would survive. And here we are with so many similar feelings for entirely different (and arguably more correctable) reasons.
The answers aren't here yet, but I'm comforted by how so many of us are looking for them at the same time.
You look amazing, Prue! Thank you for linking to Chicken Scratch. ❤️
I suspect that during Korea, Vietnam, Cuba etc - our grandparents and parents had the same fears we do. Except this one, with its long tentacles stretching from Russia, through China and the USA to a frightening change in our own Opposition party, has the capacity to alter the world beyond all recognition. As I said to Denyse, unwillingly I might add, we are all on notice. History has so much to teach us but the despots of this world seem not to want to read what happened - they play on Common Man's willingness to follow like sheep.
I listen to Clapton's mellow tones and I thank the stars for such balm.
And for much else besides. It doesn't solve problems but it gives us strength to support the real Resistance as much as we can.
Gathering the spoils while they pit us against one another. 😢
Mustn't let them. There's right and wrong and right is worth defending. Else how would the great wars of the 20th century have been... I hate saying won, it sounds wrong. Let's say settled.
Sigh! I am 75 married to an almost 76 year old and we could despair reading the latest news etc from places all around the world …but we find that we cannot sustain the negative and awful emotions that arise, and so we go more gently into each day. Mindful of each others’ physical and emotional needs and frailties and enjoy, as a much as we can, the moments of sunshine, laughter, conversation and grounding getting outside! I wish you well on this journey of change.l.because it’s true isn’t it..nothing stays the same! Ending as I began. Sigh!
I think we do need to go into each day gently, you are absolutely right. Bit hard with a full-on little pup though, but he's a great diversion.
I try hard to avoid the news but it seeps into our lives by osmosis and I think the world as we know it is under threat. I admire all those on Substack who are creating a Resistance and a Revolution. I think the world cannot take the return of fascism lying down. We have seen what it does and we are all on notice.
On that note, I shall go quietly out the door and down to the beach to walk, whilst our little fellow sleeps and whilst Husband is working at the desk and can babysit. For the rest of what is a blissfully cool day, I shall garden (when the pup's awake) and write while he sleeps - a good day.
Love and cheers.
Love that you have a beach to go to! I miss living closer to the coast but I didn't have family nearer then so happy for the change! Xx
Ah, dear Pup. Thank goodness for things which ground us in the here and now. There is so much to fear when we spread our senses more widely. Sigh. But hopefully, somehow, compassion will win out. Take care dear Prue. (You still look wonderful.) Hugs my dear. 🤗🤗
He is an anchor out of all proportion to his size, Beth. We took him for a walk tonight and a southerly buster blew up with horizontal rain and it was his first experience of bad weather. He took to it like a pro. His Dad and Mum meanwhile froze and whilst he leaped into his bed and crashed, we have the heater on (it was 30 last week!) and I'm on the couch under a rug!
I hope compassion will find a way - at the very least, common sense.
Hugs right back, Beth. XXXX
I relate to so much here, Prue. First of all change - I am aware too of small changes in my everyday personality these days, maybe since the Pandemic even - I embrace solitude more and more and since I drive so seldom these days, I feel a bit of a flutter when I do even though I used to be (never a fearless highway driver) but often tearing about all over the place with several of my boys' friends smooshed in the back. Now I stock up and tend to go out less, at least into the busy heart of the city I mean. And that pouch! You made me laugh. For me, it was in pockets of various grizzly shorts/pants and when I came to do the laundry, I would be met with a vile powdery grit of (dare I admit it here) my dog's favourite RABBIT treats! The smell, gah! But like babies, this stage will soon pass. Thanks for the uplifting Substack links here too, very helpful for our definite misery over here, far too close to what is going on. Fortunately, Canadians are definitely pulling together. A newsreader observed last week that "The Polar Bear may have been sleeping far too long but now she is awake and VERY grumpy!" Keep on keeping on, Prue xo
Behind Canada all the way, Sue. But then I think the whole of the Commonwealth is. I've always abhorred bullies.
Hooray for Canadians!!! Here’s to the Polar Bear!!
Thank you Susan! xo
It is heartfelt...xo
Wise and gorgeous writing! I am filled with admiration at your dedicated raising of your little guy…puppy school and walks and training et all, and I know he will grow up to be the wisest and most darling doggo ever!
And thank you so very much for your thoughts on the crisis going on here, which may soon become into a worldwide one, if it hasn’t already. We will need every voice of reason possible.
Oh golly, I hope so. He seemed to display a huge amount of instinctive empathy with someone very dear who was upset today. He's certainly learning at Puppy School very quickly. I think he's quite clever, but then maybe I'm being overly subjective.
Susan, I can't imagine what it must be like living in the States just now. It's like watching a pot boiling on the stove as the liquid bubbles higher and higher until it has nowhere else to go.
Globally? It's there, a dark shadow waiting in the wings. I can't understand why history counts for nothing, because shadows are eventually dissipated by light. Through millenia, it's the way it always ends.
Every day I finish my meditation with Loving Kindness simply because at this point I have nothing else to offer. XXXX
Your little Gnasher *does* sound amazing! Displaying Instinctive empathy at such a young age seems quite extraordinary.
Despite the gloom and doom hovering around, I was immensely cheered by your message: that “shadows are eventually dissipated by light.” My husband is currently reading Winston Churchill’s memoirs, and though both of us know the story of Dunkirk, we were both reminded of the same thing: it seems like a miracle that all those ordinary people stepped up; that all those men were saved. Nothing else explains it. Surely that was light triumphing over darkness.
Thank you, dear Prue, for all the Loving Kindness pointed in the direction of the Good!
Difficult days ahead for many world wide. It's hard to believe what comes out of the mouth of T If you'd be watching whats transporting I a film you'd b saying what a lot of rubbish this would never happen, the President wouldn't say that. He's after money I think. Its so very frightening what is happening over the pond.
I hope goodness will prevail, and we can tackle the bullies. It must be hard for many Americans I know quite a few of my friends hate whats going on
I love your writings Prue it keeps us grounded as to whats really important in life xx ❤️
I went to FB to watch some puppy-training reels and got caught up in revelatory 'shares' on world politics, Libby. The news coming out of North America was so horrifying that I found myself twisted in knots like a rung-out rag. And so I just watched some puppy videos, put up 2 pics of the pup and logged out. I'm now back on the coast where I can quite successfully, if I put my mind to it, put my head in the sand.
That said, I will rally behind anyone who would resist the tyrants of this world. To be frank, I don't think Trump is the danger as much as Musk. Musk is definitely the puppetmaster, in my opinion.
My act of rebellion will commence on 28th Feb, when I will make sure that I buy nothing at all that's made in America or sold by an American Corporation. I shall have to find a new non-US outlet for my books. My best market is the UK via Kindle/Amazon. Kindle/Amazon is American. This is a true dilemma.
I will have to purchase my audio books from elsewhere and find ebooks from other sources. It's going to be a battle. I also think about my Macbook, my i-phone and my MP3Player, about Spotify and Instagram. About Pinterest. About my friends Mary B, Elizabeth Beggins, Tom Ryan, Cindy Hattersley and others, who are all still resident in the States.
What a ghastly mess...
Many of my American friends are in despair over T, its unbelievable the stuff coming out from there, Musk, well he is another nutcase and dangerous I think they think they can rule the world between themselves . its such a worry
Oh, the 'Uncarved Block'! He's growing up so fast.
I'm set in my ways, and struggle to adapt to change. Still, I try to control the things I can control, and try not to get too upset about the things I can't. Easier said than done, I'm afraid!
Trying not to get too upset at change is my life's work, Rebecca! XXXX
It’s a tough task. I hear you! x