I voted and it feels so good, “Reunited, and it feels so good Reunited ’cause we understood There’s one perfect fit And, sugar, this one is it We both are so excited ’cause we’re reunited, hey, hey”…
So good I just had to sing for bit. You remember the tune by Peaches & Herb?! The lyrics could work for reuniting this country again. I think there is hope. If you can vote early, do it. Drop your ballot in a polling box if you can. Mail in is a great option, but it will delay the results and since the 45th and DeJoy are sleeping together no telling what shenanigans they will drum up.
Need a good laugh, check out the talented Alec Baldwin and Jim Carrey in the latest episode of Saturday Night Live, First Debate. The entire episode is available on NBC, highly recommend.
We are all reeling from the “debate” Tuesday night. I choose to listen to it on NPR, as the less I can look at the 45th the better. But really, I couldn’t listen, the banter and arguing were disturbing, so I turned it off. The good news is, I am going to vote tomorrow. Here in Montana, one can go into an election office starting tomorrow and put their vote in. I have actually had some mail that was coming not show up so this is will feel the most effective way to get my vote in and counted. I’ll mask up, stay six feet apart and wash, wash, wash my hands. Hope everybody has your plan of action of getting your vote in as soon as possible.
Hip/back pain update: it’s been a month and still hurts. Yesterday, I could hardly get out of bed. I decided to go by the Bone and Joint Urgent Care. X-rays only revealed a little degeneration in my spine. The doc prescribed physical therapy and muscle relaxers. If no improvement in a few weeks, they will do an MRI. Looking forward to physical therapy starting Monday. Muscle relaxers didn’t do much last night. Got the heating pad, ice packs and stretching going on today. Truth: I’m tired and miss my grandchildren.
Vote and strengthen your core. Thanks for reading.
A friend on social media posed a question: “Tell me how the past year has irreparably broken your spirit?” The responses were many, varied and poignant. Here’s my response: The injustice that has reared it’s ugly head this year has broken my heart, caused me to reflect, go into action and accept some of what is. In research I’ve discovered shameful acts of my Southern family, my grandfather declared a black man insane for trying to enter a white southern university and had him committed. My family of origin’s dysfunction has created a chasm that may be irreparable. Tribalism is creating a divide. We are forgetting we are all connected. It breaks my heart everyday, especially this past year.
I’d love to hear your response.
“The world breaks everyone, and afterward, some are strong at the broken places.” Ernest Hemingway
Last night I watched Frontline on PBS about the two men we have running for President. It’s very telling. Our democracy is at stake here. It’s not about being Republican or Democrat, it’s about getting a reality show host, bully and sociopath out of office. Watch and educate yourselves: The Choice 2020 Trump vs. Biden Yes, the two parties are important, but we have a personality problem right now.
Another good find, Rogan’s List. It has many links to who to contact on what issues, White House contacts, links to Postal Service and more: Rogan’s List
“My dream is that we will get back to it. I think it will take strong people from both parties to say, let’s get together for the good of the country.” Ruth Bader Ginsberg This is a beautiful piece that honors RBG and inspires us to continue her good fight.
ActBlue is reporting record-breaking donations to Dem candidates since the announcement of her death – something like $12.5 million in the first two hours. Let’s not stop now. We need to carry on the fight for her, for us, and future generations. Donate, volunteer, vote, take someone to get registered, help them vote. Here are some suggestions: Support Amy McGrath, get McConnell out of there. https://secure.actblue.com/donate/am-website?refcode=website-nav
Mike Epsy, Democrat, for Senate in Mississippi, this is a quiet but important campaign. He’d be MS’s first Black senator since 1881. While winning over a backwards Republican. https://espyforsenate.com/
These are just a few ways to contribute. There are plenty more. Consider donating to any of the swing state elections and of course Joe Biden. https://joebiden.com/
“Fight for the things that you care about, but do it in a way that will lead others to join you.” RBG
Please leave comments with some of your suggestions on how contribute and more. I can’t figure out how to make links without the https, etc on this new format. I’ll get help. For now they are clickable just not as attractive. @lovenotfear, help?!
Love y’all, keep up the good fight and get into some good trouble
My last stop in Idaho was at the Cenex in Salmon, ID. Guns and ammo stores with large signs lined the streets. Huge Trump flags flew outside homes and from backs of oversized pickup trucks. I ran into the Cenex, which had a True Value hardware store in it, to use the restroom. I was one of the only mask wearers in there. As I waited for the restroom, I peeked in the camping section. A young male employee approached me, not wearing a mask. I backed away as he asked if I needed any help. “I thought you might be looking for your husband, since you are in the fishing and camping section,” he said. “No, no husband, I’m a camper,” I replied. “Oh you are one of the lucky ones, there aren’t many of you,” he smirked. After a quick visit to the bathroom, I couldn’t walk fast enough out of there. It is beautiful country, with a sense of fear in the air. As a liberal woman traveling alone, it wasn’t the safest I’ve ever felt. In fact, I felt 100% safer traveling through Baja, Mexico alone. When my map app announced, welcome to Montana, my tension relaxed, I took a deep breath of relief. Yesterday, I had an appointment with my favorite chiropractor here in Missoula, Dr. Van Eerden, at Hickory Street Chiropractic Clinic, http://www.hschiro.com/ He really is good, gentle and uses the activator. Our visit was mainly me on the table with him doing visceral manipulation. We talked of Idaho, shared stories that only confirmed my sense of fear driving through there. His son played soccer, thus they found themselves traveling there for games. Ivan’s gentle touch gave my hips some relief. By evening, I was feeling the pain again and exhausted. I have a doctor’s appointment next week to continue the search into what is causing this discomfort. Meantime, Aranda Bowman LMT, https://www.massagebook.com/Springfield~Massage~Aranda?src=external (highly recommend her) who I saw in Oregon a week ago sent out this Youtube with some self myofascial bodywork. Check it out and take good care of yourself.
Thanks for reading and coming along on the journey.
Need some community tonight? Join in for live storytelling at Tell Us Something, https://www.tellussomething.org/ $10 per ticket. Support the arts, support storytelling.
Life is good when you find the perfect campsite. Stayed last night in the Sawtooth National Forest. I had my own private spot by a babbling brook surrounded by quacking Aspens. Not cell or internet. The smoke is here now though.
Woke up in the night and couldn’t stop thinking of the 45th’s comments about war veterans who died or came back injured. I’ll say this to him: My father served this country. Two uncles died in war, one was a POW and came back pretty messed up. My brother was sergeant in Vietnam. His friend, Mr. Green Jeans, was killed right before his eyes. He saw things we don’t talk about it. You call these men losers and suckers! I will never say your name again.
I had planned to drive back to Montana to get a few more items, leaving earlier this week. However, I had to wait and have the van windshield repaired, plus get some bodywork for my back. Luckily, a friend told me about Crystal Crane Hot springs, https://www.cranehotsprings.com/ in eastern Oregon. Yesterday, I got all camping gear situated and made my way east. It was just the ticket. A new route for me to drive to Montana, seeing new sites. The hot springs helped my back and made for a great night’s sleep. The first overnight in my new, used Toyota Sienna van. Figuring out how to arrange things, so it’s convenient and comfortable. I’ve got some ideas, nothing elaborate, keep it simple. A platform for my inflatable sleeping pad, with space for drawers underneath will be the first project. I’ll be in Montana until the first week in October. I’ve got no obligations until then. It’s beautiful this time of year in Montana. Sienna van and I will get in some camping. 🏕 Also, I love my physical therapist in Missoula. Thinking she might work one of her miracles on this back issue. Next stop will be somewhere in the Sawtooth Mountains, going through Sun Valley, (I’ve never been in this area) all the while watching the fire maps and possible road closures. See you soon Montana. Prayers for fire evacuees.
I am safe in my little home with water and electricity. I am crying because some are not. I was going to drive along the McKenzie Hwy, maybe take some flowers to a friend who lost her mom last week Now, she may have lost her home and the McKenzie Hwy is closed as fires move swiftly through the area razing homes and small towns.
My back is killing me, with moments of relief. I call a recommended chiropractor. He is concerned for my back pain, concerned that he is unable to see me. He was evacuated from his home last night at midnight. “Screw my back” I want to say, we need to be concerned for you. He is on the other line looking up the number of someone he recommends.
The windshield repairman came to my home to replace my car’s windshield that was busted out due to a break in. There was a rash of break ins and theft in the neighborhood. People gotta fund their meth habit somehow. The repairman was cheerful as he masked up, replacing the glass as a shower of ash fell from the sky. Have a nice day, he said handing me the bill. I gave him a tip.
I see online, another friend’s home was spared (near Ashland), while all the homes around her are black rubble.
I am comfortable in my little home, but I am crying.
Before the pandemic, I was part time nannying for twin two year boys. One with straight hair and cowlick, other one all curls. I am going to starting helping out with them again. Yesterday was good medicine taking care of these energetic, curious, precious boys, playing in their garden, chasing them around their property to pick blackberries, grapes and tomatoes, hanging out in the pen with the goats and chickens. Then back inside to throw some legos around, then back out for water play. All the while making sure no one needed to sit on the potty, doling out snacks and assuring they were safe at all times. They didn’t want to stay in any one place for too long.
One thing is clear, I need to start doing pilates and other forms of strength building exercises. By the end of my time with them, it was hard to get up and down. I’ve been on the heating pad, alternating with ice packs since yesterday afternoon. Today is probably all about rest, some stretching, and an acupuncture appointment. I did get to go by a friend’s yesterday evening to meet a new female corgi puppy. I can not wait to pet sit for her! So glad I meet her, I almost turned around while driving over to get back on the heating pad, it was painful. I’m new to back pain. Thank you friends who loaned out your heating pad and gave me arnica gel. We get by with a little help from our friends. Keep your core strong.
Fscottwrites 