The 'No Rules" Of The Holidays!

 

Hi!

Welcome to the holiday season of 2020!

I've seen talk in a few places on social media where people seem concerned about putting decorations up 'too early,' where people are worried about the etiquette of this, that, or the other thing.

Okay folks, if 2020 has taught us anything it's that in order to get through it we need to be as fluid as the wine we drink. 

Yes, this year has been, and continues to be, a complete horror show. With the spiking of cases, people having to deal with unimaginable loss, some insisting on traveling regardless of warnings, thus triggering more restrictions being put in place, all of which could, potentially, morph this holiday season's to-dos into something resembling the Grinch's list of top ten ways to Scrooge a holiday. 

So, we have some choices to make.

For some of us, the loss of loved ones will be too fresh for us to do anything but grieve, and that is as it should be. Grief is human, it's needed, it can't be prescribed limits or timetables. 

For the rest of us, well, we will just have to figure it out. Like the rest of 2020, that last of it is going to be different, a touch chaotic, more than a bit scary, with the stress level cranked up to about a 10.

So, choices.

It's hard not to feel down about the loss of traditions, the loss of get-togethers, this dragged-out marathon loss of 'normal.'  All we can do is our best.

So, we are choosing to decorate even earlier than we usually do. Yup, the tree and all of the snowmen have been up and filling in every corner for 2 weeks already. Although the gift budget had to be trimmed a bit this year, the shopping for gifts is complete, with wrapping well underway. A few cookies and other treats have already made their way to the freezer, with more to follow.

We have basically decided to stretch the season. If 2020 wants a marathon, we are happy to oblige.

We may not be able to have our kids and grandbabies under our roof for Turkey and the trimmings, to open their gifts, play games and just be goofy together, but if that turns out to be the case, there is nothing stopping us from taking Christmas on the road. Nothing stopping us from dropping gifts and treats off to them at their homes. A Curbside Christmas. 

We may not be able to watch our grandbabies put on their holiday concerts at school, but there is nothing stopping them from safely going caroling, singing their songs for their neighbours. 

So, although, in my humble opinion, holidays have never had rules, this year, more than any other I can remember, needs to have any pretense of 'rules' stripped away. 

If you want eggnog on your cereal, go for it.

If you want to blast Holiday music 24/7, all the power to you.

If you want to make fudge a food group, good on ya.

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The holidays are close to impossible for some at the best of times. This year, of course, it presents all kinds of new challenges. 

If you are able to muster a bit of extra Christmas spirit, maybe spread it around a little. 

Retail workers have been yelled at, sworn at, and generally treated like crap this year, even more than they normally do. Maybe, when you have to be out and about, be a little extra patient a little extra kind.

Old folks in care homes can't have visitors. If you have a bit of time and the means, maybe put together a care package to drop off with a card. If not a care package, maybe a letter or two.

Healthcare workers are more overwhelmed than any of the rest of us can imagine, send them whatever kindness you can.

Doing what seems like the smallest of things can make the world of difference. 

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Until next time...

May your greatest intentions be carried through your actions, let your kindness shine.

May you celebrate this holiday season in whatever way suits you best, albeit with eggnog or wine.

May you bring a little light to someone shadowed by the dark.

May you share any cheer you can muster, in the best way, leave your mark.

May you, if you're struggling, find a way to reach out for a caring hand, a caring voice.

May you, if you're able, be that kind hand, that caring voice, give them a heartfelt choice. 

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Looking for something to curl up with? 

https://www.amazon.ca/Once-Broken-Margy-Reid-ebook/dp/B071HTFTX6/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=once+broken&qid=1606520393&sr=8-1

The Home Stretch...

 

Hi!

Okay folks, with vaccines on the horizon, almost within arms reach, we are in the home stretch of this nightmare.

With the change in weather, fatigue, and the onset of the holiday season, cases, unfortunately, are spiking all over the globe. Some places are dealing with it better than others, places where people, the citizens are following science, actual science, not fantasy fiction.

That's what it boils down to, I think. 

You may disagree with policies, restrictions, lack of restrictions, where and on what the restrictions are placed. That's fine. The thing that needs to be kept in mind, when weighing your disagreements, is the fact that this virus doesn't care.

If you are of the belief that wearing masks is part of some grand conspiracy to 'control' you, that's your prerogative. If you choose not to wear one, that is also your prerogative. 

If you are of the belief that wearing seat belts are part of some grand conspiracy to 'control' you, that too is your prerogative. If you choose not to wear one, your choice.

If you are of the belief that speed limits are part of this same, or some other grand control conspiracy, well, your choice.

As with everything in life our choices have consequences, both good and bad. 

Without a mask, you will likely be refused entry into many places. Your choice doesn't trump the choice of others. 'No shoes, no shirt, no service' now, and for the next few months includes masks. 

Just like you get a fine for not wearing a seat belt, speeding or driving under the influence, you can now get a fine for breaking restrictions put in place to keep the virus in check as much as possible. 

Restrictions and mandates can't work if people aren't willing to follow them. It comes down to us, the people, and doing whatever it takes to keep each other safe to the best of our ability. 

Just like a seatbelt may not save me in every kind of accident, it still makes sense to wear one.

Just like speed limits don't stop every accident, slowing down to the required 60km/h definitely helps keep tow truck drivers and first responders safe when there is one. 

Just like driving sober doesn't innoculate us against harm, it definitely helps keep us and others safer. 

If wearing a mask makes you feel anxious like it does me, you adjust. You learn to deal with it by being super-efficient when you do have to go places, or, just don't go. My feelings don't give me the right to put others at risk or yell at them for doing their jobs. 

The holidays are just around the corner. If we all do what we know we need to do to flatten that hateful curve one more time, we might actually get to celebrate, safely, in person.

For those who don't want to wear a mask and want to make that the war you want to fight, go ahead. You do you. Knock yourself out. Just don't expect everyone else to play along. Don't yell at people who are following the protocols put forth by science. Don't expect businesses to bend to you and your demands for special treatment. Wear a mask or don't go. End of story. 

Let's just say that my belief system, my desire to not be controlled, included my freedom, my right, to get drunk, and speed through a school zone while not wearing a seat belt... my beliefs sure as hell wouldn't make it any less dangerous. My belief system wouldn't change the reality of the situation. 

Vaccines are close. The logistics of getting the majority of the world's population inoculated so that it will actually have a chance of being effective will be a herculean task, to say the least. It's going to require global cooperation and the cooperation of every single one of us. 

We are on the Home Stretch. Can we just work together to get this over with already? We can fight later.

We've got this, we just need to lift each other over the hardest parts. 

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Now, for the shenanigans south of the border. 

To say it's crazy would be a huge understatement. 

This clumsy clownish coupe attempt is so ridiculous it's scary. The wild conspiracy nonsense that is being peddled by this melting Joe Pesci wannabe blows the mind. To know there are people out there believing this crap is incredulous to me. 

Some guy who has been dead for seven years is supposed to be one of the masterminds behind this fantastical voter fraud scheme? Really?

Hundreds of thousands of votes were created fraudulently by some underground international deep state?! Really?!

The fact that people are willing to stand by and watch this happen without stepping in is beyond stupid. The Grand Cheeto lost this election by the same number of electoral votes that he won four years ago. 306 to 232. The only difference is this time, the winner of the electoral votes was also the winner of the popular vote. By a lot. Like tickling six million kind of a lot. 

It's been explained over and over and over again in the simplest of terms that the reason the Cheeto's lead disappeared in some states and he almost caught up in others is simply because of the order in which votes were counted. Some counted the in-person, day-of votes first like Pennsylvania, and some, like Arizona, counted mail-in ballots first. Trump voters overwhelmingly voted on the day of. Biden voters voted overwhelmingly by mail. 

That's it. Math. Counting. 

Trump has made one very grave mistake in his perpetuation of this conspiracy. You see, for a conspiracy theory to work, to be completely effective you can't put it to the test of truth. Taking this crap to court did just that. 

There, in court, they have to have actual proof. They have to have actual facts. Debunked youtube videos, bad intel and other just garbage information don't work in court, in front of a judge. They are finding out over and over again that people who are willing to lie for money are not so willing to perjure themselves. Lawyers are withdrawing because moving forward with the sham could get them disbarred. 

Maybe it's time to take a good look at the 25th amendment. Just maybe.

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May we get to the end of this without the loss of too many more, when one more is too many.

May we find a way to heal, beyond the fever, beyond the divisions of which we have plenty.

May we allow ourselves to look past the nightmare, allow ourselves the joy of what's to come.

May we help each other to reach the other side of this, once again not have to search so hard for what's fun.

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Until next time... nothing like curling up with a good book on a chilly day

https://www.amazon.ca/Once-Broken-Margy-Reid-ebook/dp/B071HTFTX6/ref=sr_1_2?crid=1BODPM2UTOJ6A&dchild=1&keywords=once+broken&qid=1605911758&sprefix=once+broken%2Caps%2C250&sr=8-2

AAAAnnnnd We Fall Into Winter...

 

Hi!

So, yeah, winter decided to show up in a big way. My hubby literally had force the door open just to get it to open wide enough to get his arm through to reach the shovel, then had to push enough, one-handed, to get the door open the rest of the way. 

This is my car. It's an SUV... Yeah.

With winter upon us, we are, collectively, going to be spending more time inside.

All over the world, cases of this virus are spiking, hospitals are getting full, and people are, tragically, continuing to lose the battle against this thing. 

The good news is that compared to the Spring, we know a lot more about it, how to fight it, and how to prevent it.

The simplest thing is wearing a mask. Yes, we most definitely still need to socially distance, incessantly wash our hands, clean surfaces more often than we did before, and keep gatherings small, tiny even. 

We are all tired of it. All of it. The virus, sadly, doesn't give a crap.

The holidays are coming and they are going to look different, just like everything else this year. We will have to be flexible in our traditions, maybe add a few new ones. Maybe accessorize your ugly Christmas sweater with an ugly Christmas mask. We might have to celebrate virtually, in some cases. Religious services will change, the littles' concerts will likely not be able to happen, dances, caroling. etc, etc, etc...

With a little ingenuity and imagination, we can still celebrate.

Companies all over the world are working overtime on vaccines, and they are getting super close to having a couple of options be viable. A lot of world leaders are working together to try and get the majority of the earth's population inoculated as soon as possible. It's going to require herculean efforts on all of our parts to get to the end of this thing. The vaccine will not be magic, and the logistics of getting everyone vaccinated will take time once it's readily available. 

We have to continue to be patient.

Masks are becoming mandatory in public spaces all over the place. It's not political, it's not infringing on your rights any more than wearing a seatbelt, adhering to a speed limit, or not drinking and driving.

It is a very basic, simple thing we can do to protect ourselves, our families, our neighbours, and our communities.

That's all. It shouldn't be a big deal. 

The shortest distance between here and the end is through a mask. It really is that simple.

So, let's all keep our bubbles small, use masks when you leave your bubble, wash you hands like crazy, maybe make a holiday gift of some nice lotion, hell, start a band like our grandbabies did on the weekend, when playing outside was no longer an option.

Nobody is asking us to shut down, we are simply being asked to do our part so we don't have to. If our hospitals get overwhelmed, we're screwed. It's just not that complicated. 

Let's put all the crap aside and just look after each other, shall we? 

We've got this. All we have to do is lift each other over the hardest bits.

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May we take each other's hand, without quarrel, without hesitation, and keep each other safe.

May we all just do what we need to do for a while longer, it will be well worth the wait.

May we, on bad days, when we feel done, do it anyway, for each and every person who gets this thing is loved by someone just like you love yours. 

May we keep that in mind as those who want to refuse to be part of the answer, who protest for their right to put the rest of us at risk, justify it, of course.

May those who choose to deny science, instead, bathing in the ripples of conspiracy,

May you understand that history will only underline your ignorance, show boldly, the lunacy. 

May we all just see this for what it is. A virus. It cares not at all your beliefs, your race, your age.

May we all just see this as the thing we need to fight together, the sooner we do, the sooner we can turn the page. 

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It's a great time to curl up with a good book...

https://www.amazon.ca/Once-Broken-Margy-Reid-ebook/dp/B071HTFTX6/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=once+broken&qid=1605314806&sr=8-2

And The Clouds Begin To Clear...

 

Hi!

Well, what a decade this week has been!

The Americans voted, and the count is being completed all over the country, just like it has with every election since the creation of their democracy. 

The voter turn-out was incredible. Every democracy should strive for that kind of engagement each and every time there is an election. Only with incredible voter turnout do you get a true picture of the will of the people. 

The only surprise, thus far, for me, has been how close it is.

Anyone who reads this blog is fully aware of my opinion of the guy getting evicted from the People's house. It saddens me to see just how many people continue to believe his utter bull crap and spread of ridiculous conspiracy theories. 

Even today, as everyone is getting a real view of the writing on the wall, his spawn is spewing altered videos, and other complete nonsense all over social media. The grand Cheeto himself is, of course, playing victim, as he perpetually does, claiming that the world is out to ger him.

This narcissistic toddler is going to have trouble accepting defeat, this is a given. I hear on different news stations how his 'handlers' are trying to pat him on the head and tell him what a good boy he's been to basically keep him from trying to burn down the whole of their democracy on his way out the door.

One of his stooges, Steve Bannon, who, by the way, is out on bond right now, was on his podcast and his social media calling for the beheading of Dr. Fauci and Mr. Wray, the head of the FBI. Twitter revoked his privileges, and rightfully so. Very fine people.

He, and his ass-kissers have gotten their poor followers to storm counting facilities. They showed up all fired up yelling  "Stop the count!" in places he was leading in, and "Count the Votes!" in places where he was behind. These gullible people showed up, fired up... at first. Now they just look sad and disappointed because all they found when they arrived were people, equally Democrat and Republican, counting legitimate votes. When issues are raised with any given ballot, it is adjudicated, by both parties, and either cleared for count, or not. Nothing but plain and simple counting.

Yes, it's taking a long time. There was an incredible turnout, so there are more votes to count than at any other time in American history. 

The thing is this.

He can scream and kick his feet all he wants, throw around as much bullshit as he wants, but, this time, maybe for the first time, he's going to be forced to prove it. He's is going to have to bring forth real, actual, factual, proven evidence and prove his case like a big boy. 

There is talk that he will refuse to concede. 

Okay.

Who cares?

Concede, don't concede, throw tantrums, don't throw tantrums, pity party your face off. Nobody cares.

The votes will continue to be counted, verified, and certified. When that is complete, he will be homeless, unemployed, and will no longer be covered by his government health care plan. He's an obese virus-survivor with ticker issues. He better hope that pre-existing conditions stay covered.

Probably for the first time in his life, he is not going to get his way, and there is nothing he can do about it.

A hard lesson to learn at 74 years old, but long overdue.

His presidency has never been about the people. Why would his defeat be any different?

He doesn't care.

His world ceases to exist beyond his wants. 

As I said, the only surprise about this election is how close it is.

This guy is a racist. There is a long, well-documented history of this being absolutely true. If you continue to ignore the evidence of this, that says a lot about who you are, and who you pretend to be.

This guy gives zero f*cks about anybody but himself. He proved this through his grossly inept non-handling of the Pandemic. People died who absolutely didn't have to. That's on him.

This guy is a rapist. He likes to deny it, of course, but all it would take to prove his 'innocence' is a DNA sample, yet he refuses. Why?

This guy thinks sexual assault is a sport. How else could you make sense of the explaining away of  "grabbing women by the pussy" as locker room talk?

This guy is a liar. He continually spews garbage without evidence, never finds that evidence then moves on to the next lie. Cases in point, South American caravans coming in 2018, the wall being built on Mexico's dime, Hillary being a criminal, Biden being a criminal, voter fraud, crowd size, healthcare plan, etc...etc...etc... If you still believe him, I have a waterfront property on the Moon to sell you.

This guy is cruel. On purpose. Deliberately separating babies from their parents. This in and of itself is cruel, but, to do it in such an inept way that you are incapable of reuniting them? That is, of course assuming that you put a task force together to do that to save these kids and parents from any further trauma... oh wait, yeah, you didn't do that, but guess who has a plan to do just that... Joe. 

This guy is a horrible person. You can tell a lot about the character of a person by the company they keep. Jeffery Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, 'wishing her well", Steve Bannon, Manafort, and the list of his felon buddies goes on and on. 

The weeks leading up to his eviction will likely be fraught with more of the same. Lies, tantrums, more lies, no proof, kicking and screaming because people require proof, sulking, more tantrums... but, eventually he will have to leave.

His next home may also be provided by the government. It has great security and three squares a day. He may have to get used to an assigned roommate, and the toilet is not likely to be made of gold, but I hear the showers are spacious, so there's that.

As the vote count trickles in, and the clouds begin to clear, I'm finding it just a little bit easier to breathe.  Through Joe's tone, his demeanor, there is such a calmness. I really think he's the right person coming in at the right time to change the volatile landscape. If anyone has the ability to take this divide of such stringent red and blue, one so strictly black and white and show everyone concerned that it is, instead, a country that will be happiest through compromise, he does. He has both the ability and desire to lead all the citizens, those who voted for him and those who didn't, through the extensive exploration of all of the beautifully diverse shades of grey.

I'm excited for our neighbours to the South. We missed you! Welcome back!

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May the calm overtake the chaos, and all the doubters put at ease.

May they come to see he's not the monster that the Cheeto painted him to be.

May you take your own advice from four, oh so long, years ago.

May you give him a real chance, see what he does, don't rush to judgment, take it slow.

May you rest, really rest, for the first time in a long time, it's soooo well deserved.

May you allow yourself to breathe, drop your shoulders, you made it, over hurdles, around curves.

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https://www.amazon.ca/Once-Broken-Margy-Reid-ebook/dp/B071HTFTX6/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=once+broken&sr=8-2