At Home: Trying to See the Light

We are finally seeing some sun here and slightly warmer temperatures. On occasion, that is. Well, significantly warmer temps than before, but inconsistent. When I started this, it was 51F and after lots of days in the 20s and 30s, that's a gift. The sun was  even more of a gift! Today we're back to gray sky and 39 but hey -- it's not single digits or twenties or snowing. We need a little warmth and light these days. A little peace, a little love. (And music is good too!)

As you know, I rarely talk politics on this blog. I suspect in most cases of followers here, I'm speaking to the converted, but I know not all of you share my political stance -- and it's probably no secret where I fall in that zone. I tend to save that for other spaces. But lately, I've found so many things upsetting, things that affect us all, and I have to take a minute to write on that, before I go on to cheerier things below.

You can't miss the news about our "democrazy," no matter where you live in the world. s going down fast, Our privacy and personal data being violated; significant humanitarian efforts rapidly shut down; and hundreds of thousands of career federal employees being forced out of their jobs. (Get your taxes in now -- and good luck with that.) 

Just to be clear, I believe there is a lot of waste in government that should be addressed thoughtfully. It's not the issue of cuts but a matter of how they are being addressed and that impact on all of us, on our world. I equate it a bit to losing weight. You don't gain 50 pounds in a year and you don't expect to lose it that without severe actions that may have other consequences.

In what seems to make no sense at all, the US is forcing an economic crisis at home and for others by tariffs and we are losing international credibility and respect day by day as we alienate our allies. Don't even start me on my concerns for Ukraine.

Every day it is something different and collectively worse. You cannot make me believe that firing the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and blaming it on DEI was anything less than racism. Cutting Medicaid will have a disastrous effect on many families and particularly young children. Messing around with the Centers for Disease Control, National Institutes of Health and the Food and Drug Administration affects us all. Talk of buying Greenland, turning Gaza into Middle East's Riviera and making Canada the 51st state just makes us look extra stupid.

(By the way, if you tell me "if you're so miserable here, why don't you leave," it's a whole lot easier said than done. You think we haven't checked?)

America is dying. And this is from a woman who is usually so optimistic about life she pisses everyone else off.

The issues the US is facing aren't "red" issues or "blue" issues -- the impact hits home for all of us. Those eggs are still expensive. This week (2/25) at Trader Joe's they are $3.49. Elsewhere, higher.  Those in Michigan working for the auto industry (including our Kevin) will be dealing with a peck a production problems resulting in increased pricing if/when the tariffs go through. Do you think the factories to replace those parts to be built here will be done soon? Don't bet on it. Many people will be out of work for a long while and that will do very bad things to our economy.

I'm not stockpiling eggs -- I was making deviled eggs for Corkies, which is now like giving them caviar!

Food grown on American soil will cost more than it already does.  Who will pick Michigan cherries other crops in the country if all immigrants are deported (including those who are tax payers or have served in our military)? (And by the way, immigrants, documented or otherwise, often have very responsible jobs, not just field labor, though that's what everyone seems to mention.) With no USAID, what are the farmers who supplied that volume of food going to do?

I'm concerned about issues that affect our daily living (elimination of essential program and research grants and services that affect the underserved, our children, veterans, and seniors. Look for your TEMU prices to go up, and I hope you're not into avocado toast or guacamole unless you have quite the budget. (Avocados $2.79 each on 2/25 in Michigan.) 

I guess what I'm saying is that NO ONE signed up for what is happening now, no matter how we voted. Eliminating government waste is not bad. Doing it wisely, carefully, should be essential. That hasn't happened.  Blaming DEI is pointless and insulting to just about everyone. Eliminating jobs "on the spot" with no notice, severance or kindness is simply barbaric. We, as a country, deserve better. (End of political talk)

I'm sure stress on this front has added to a challenging year personally, and especially this month. February started with a fall on the ice while shoveling, opening the back of my head and then dring to the ER to spend the day. (Don't worry. There was no brain bleed or skull fracture, just a bad headache and lots of impact body aches for a bit after. They made me wear that brace below till the scans were read but the expression says it all). 

The next day I blew out the breaker panel at home, leaving half the house (including the internet router, the furnace, the stove, etc.) without power. The repair was quick -- an updated breaker panel with a surge protector. But expensive. Ouch.

I need a thyroid biopsy (that showed up in the CT scans, confirmed by an ultrasound; my bronchiectasis has been flaring and I was so deep in AFib that this week they did a cardioversion to shock my heart's electrical system back into submission. No, the year is not starting out well. 

But the sun is out. (Well, some days. Some days we're back to gray!) Laying low means reading books, catching up on favorite Brit shows, snugging with a cat, and that's always a plus!

 My "words" this year were "Survive" and "Escape." I'm finding my ways to get through the daily deluge of international news that seems to always be worse news than that of the day before.

As you can see from the January book post below, I've escaped best as I can with books. So far this month, I'm through a few mysteries, an interesting if disturbing non-fiction about the Gilded Age, and reading my monthly chapter in Vivian Swift's "When Wanderers Cease to Roam" (again).

I'm surviving in the company of others, lunches and dinners with friends and a jolly good Cork Poppers.

I enjoyed a beautiful orchid show with a dear friend, giving us lots of time to catch up. As you may have seen here in the last post, the blooms were dazzling, adding a very bright spot of color to a dark time.

I was pleased to stop by Rick's fundraiser -- indoor cycling on his rollers for charity.

We had a friend for dinner the other night -- good catch-up time again. I did get out to enjoy a Pink Martini concert, thanks to some a friend with an unexpected extra ticket. And they are fabulous and highly recommended. (Photo: Wikipedia.)

I'm surviving by doing what little I can to help fight our political mess by deluging my Congressional representatives and senators with calls and emails. (I'm not on the picket line yet, but I probably will be.)

 And, I've been watching bunnies join the birds in the side yard!

What else? Watching good video (and sometimes not-so-good video and sometimes video I've seen many times before!) and trying to cut back on continual news coverage (which for me was pretty close to 24/7).

And I think a lot of us are praying. 

And now, for something fun. Sometimes, I'm revisiting older video. I want to share one with you, if you are an "American Pie" fan. Earlier this month, blogger Tom reminded us it was "American Pie" day. Well, I missed that, but it reminded me of the wonderful lip dub that looks like the entire community of Grand Rapids, Michigan, participated in a number of years ago. (I'm especially partial to this because our Greg has his moment at 7:25 into the video.)

I hope you enjoy! 

And remember, pie may NOT fix EVERYTHING. But it helps.

Next time, we're heading back to England. Coming up -- A concert, Bletchley Park, a blog meet-up, Westminster Abbey, and lots of meandering about! Put on your armchair traveling shoes and come along!

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