We Made It! 2022, Here's To It!

 Happy New Year!

Here's to the upcoming year. The one that, if common sense makes a come-back, using logic, once again, becomes a given, if people make the choice to live in reality instead of some warped, villain-filled conspiracy fantasy, yeah, it'll be awesome.

This is the year we get a real handle on this thing. This is the year that the time runs out on conspiracies. Vaccines have been being administered worldwide for over a year now, and all of the horrible things that, apparently, were supposed to happen... well, haven't.

Nobody is speaking in tongues, unless you count moronese as a tongue.

Nobody is magnetized, or chipped, or dying, or developing autism.

Nobody is turning into a zombie, unless you buy into the whole JFK Junior crap, cuz that does sound a little reanimating, franken-crazy, land of the living dead, creepy.

Nobody 

Nope. None of it.

Oh, we all know that as each of these peculiar episodes of crazytales exposes itself to be untrue, when it becomes apparent that nobody is drinking baby blood or whatever, the powers that be crazy just make up a new one, a new, ominous, foreboding scenario. 

The difference is this. Over the past year, they have shown us who they are. This year, we will believe them. 

Gone are the days of coddling insanity. Gone are the days that those of us who live reality trod on eggshells to help the crazytales authors feel better about the poison they spread. 

To say this year has, personally, been rough, would be a massive understatement. I'd be lying if I said I wasn't glad that it's over. 

The final kicker? Betty White.

So many across this planet have suffered so much devastating, personal loss this year. So many lives taken, either directly or indirectly at the hands of this pandemic. Then, as if that wasn't enough, the seemingly endless extreme fires, floods, snowstorms, tornadoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, typhoons, volcanoes, I mean, you name it... really. 

Betty White. An icon. Funny, brilliantly talented, smart. A rare light that illuminated everyone equally. Of course.... cuz 2021. 

So we will grieve.

We will grieve collectively for Betty White. We will grieve collectively for all those brutalized by Mother Nature. We will grieve collectively for all lost to this virus, and those who continue to suffer its long-lasting effects. 

Personally, we will grieve the loved ones we have lost. We will feel the loss of relationships. We will feel the remnants of these past two years reverberate through our lives in ways we may not recognize until they happen. 

We will grieve.

But, mixed within the grief will be joy.

You know that saying...  "If I knew then what I know now"

Well, now we know.

When we know better, we do better. 

This year, we do better.

As we walk into this next year, let's do so with higher expectations.

2022 is not to be merely survived. 

Let's make 2022 the year of accountability.

Let's make 2022 a celebration of the spoils learned from going through what we've gone through.

Let's make 2022 the year that thriving becomes the norm. 

Let's make 2022 the year we embrace a new way of walking through the world, a way that reflects the lessons we've learned. 

Let's make 2022 one to remember. Not remembered for heartache, not remembered for loss, not for violence, for hate speech, not for the rampant running of the Karens.

Let's make it one to remember for strides toward equality, real, actual, equality. Let's make it one to remember for figuring out a better work/life balance. One to remember for steps taken to make the world a safer, more healthy place to live... for everyone. 

Let's fill 2022 with the joy that was stolen by 2021.

2022! Here's to it!

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Until next year...

May you release the pain brought forth by these past months, by the hardships, by heartache.

May you embrace the new days bringing light, joy, and fun, simply for fun's sake.

May you step from the shadows of survival, and into the light of thriving, bathing in its warmth.

May every dream that was shelved until a brighter day be, once again put into action, rewards brought forth. 

May you, in the months to come, hug, kiss, cuddle, sing, laugh, and dance for a joy-filled thrill. 

May all of it be slathered in happy, dipped in funny, then enjoyed until you've had your fill. 

May you smile without hesitation.

May you walk without destination. 

The healing power of wandering is incredible. 

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Happy Holidays!

 

Hi!

Well, we are here! 

Christmas!

I just wanted to take a minute to thank all of you who take the time to read these ramblings each week. Any given day, they are being read in no less than 25 different countries, every continent, taking part. 

I receive messages from people all over the world. Although cultures and geography dictate differences, we are all so very similar. So many of our struggles and joys grow from the same roots. Kids are kids the world over, and the challenges of raising them remain basically the same, the world over.

People everywhere are doing their best to raise kind humans who care, who share, who are independent, self-assured, and capable. The skills needed to be learned may vary a bit, depending on culture and location. 

People everywhere are doing their best with the tools they have, the trauma they've survived, the baggage they have accumulated.

No one arrives at the threshold of adulthood unscathed. What we do with the scars is up to us. Do we continue picking at them, keeping the wounds raw and sore? Or, do we choose to examine them, study them, acknowledge how they came to be, and then do what's needed to help them heal?

Healing ourselves is one of the greatest gifts we can give to our children. Scars left raw and sore will infect our parenting, creating scars in our littles. Life will deliver to our children more than enough hurt, and pain, they don't need to carry ours too. Life is heavy enough without that undeserved burden.

So, as the world gathers for all kinds of celebrations this time of year, especially after the year this has been, let's do so with the intention of lightening each other's load. Let's do so with the intention of spreading kindness, joy, and laughter. Intention feeds action. Actions have impact. Impact leaves a mark. Your intention dictates what kind. 

Thank you again for your continued support! From Australia to Serbia, from Zimbabwe to Liechtrnstein, from Colombia to Japan, and everywhere in between. Thank you!

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Until next time...

May your every wish come true.

Your Brick Wall Of Ignorance...

 Hi!

Well, the holidays are upon us, gatherings are happening, meals are being shared.

It's going to be all kinds of better than last year. 

As we are still in the midst of this horrible pandemic, it's not going to be 100% back to normal, but it will be a definite upgrade from the 'drive-by' version we had to navigate last year. 

It is guaranteed that there will be some who fuss, and have tantrums over vaccine mandates and proof of vaccine restrictions, mask mandates, blah blah blah..

These same people either can't, or simply refuse to connect the dots between their utter refusal to do what's needed to keep infections down, and the fact that these measures are still needed. 

You can't argue both against the measures that would make lifting the restrictions possible, and the restrictions themselves. Well, I guess you can, but not without being an idiot.

There seems to be some debate surrounding the awkwardness of asking guests you are inviting into your holiday circle about their vaccination status.

This baffles me. 

If you know someone well enough to invite them to your celebrations, you know them well enough to ask. If they know you well enough to be invited, they shouldn't have a problem telling you the truth. 

The conversation seems to circle around how terrible it is to make unvaccinated people feel uncomfortable, and how to make them feel 'okay' with telling you. Making them feel safe.

My question is this. If I'm inviting you, you know me. You would have a pretty good idea about how I feel about the importance of the vaccines and other measures, why are you even entertaining the idea of accepting the invitation if you aren't vaccinated?

Personally, I'm out of patience. I will ask. Point blank. And, if I'm not convinced, I will make you prove it. You will not be coming into my home unvaccinated. 

I don't care about any of your conspiratorial reasons for not doing what you should. And, honestly, I couldn't care less if that hurts your feelings. 

The data, real, actual, scientific, peer-reviewed data, has been playing out before our very eyes for over a year now. Vaccines are safe. They keep you from dying. They help slow the spread, and when partnered with the other precautions we know work, because... again, real-time, worldwide data, we can keep businesses open, we can go places, see people, and do fun things. 

I won't be coddling your refusal to accept reality. I'm done arguing. I'm more than willing to just let you be wrong. I'm just done with letting you do it near me. I'm no longer going to pretend to listen to it, to sympathize, to try to get you to accept what's real. I'm giving myself the gift, and the permission, to stop banging my head against your brick wall of ignorance. 

Does that mean I am cutting you from my life entirely? Of course not! But this will not be a subject I will entertain with you. Not any more. And, our conversations will be held at least 6 feet apart, with a mask on, or over the phone. 

Until the immunologists, epidemiologists, scientists, and doctors agree, and announce that this particular shit storm has passed, I will be doing everything I can to keep me, my family, and my community as safe as I personally have the power to do. 

So, will my family be under one roof for the holidays? You bet.

Are we ALL vaccinated? You bet.

Will we be cracking a few windows to increase ventilation? You bet.  

Will be taking other precautions to keep each other safe? You bet.

The holidays are already so hard for so many people, through no fault of their own. Why choose to make it harder?

Why make it harder for restaurant workers, or owners?

Why make it harder for retail workers?

Be willing to happily wear the mask or stay home.

Get vaccinated, or don't go to restaurants, bars, theatres, or concerts. 

Your body, your choice. You chose. These are the consequences. Deal with it. 

I choose joy.

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Until next time...

May you who choose to hang on to conspiratorial delusion, break free, and choose joy instead.

May you find your way to reality, revel in its freedoms, putting all the world domination paranoia to bed.

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May You Sigh Without Sorrow...

 

Hi!

I just wanted to take a beat and sit in gratitude.

Because of the hard work of so many who dedicate their lives to science, my husband, our daughters, our sons-in-law, our grandbabies, and I are vaccinated against this nightmare. Are the vaccines magic? No, no they are not. 

But, they are a layer of protection that will help to keep us from getting very ill if we are unfortunate enough to contract this virus or any of its nasty mutations. 

As a direct result of their hard work, we get to safely have all of our kids under our roof for the holidays. 

I am grateful.

As I sit in my safe, warm, festively decorated house, with a fridge full of food, clean water to drink, and a warm, comfortable bed to sleep in, I am grateful.

As I sit at my laptop working on my second novel, I have the freedom, the space, to dream, to write, to create. I am grateful.

As I ready myself to help my hubby at our shop, I think of all of the small businesses that weren't able to survive the pandemic. I am grateful. 

As I bake treats for the holidays, and look forward to the bright eyes and smiles the goodies bring. I am grateful. 

As I sit on my floor wrapping little gifts that will put smiles on the faces of people we love, a position I wasn't always privileged to be in, I am grateful.

Everyone sits in their own circumstance. Everyone has their own reasons to be grateful.

I think the trick is to find things to be grateful for, even, and maybe especially when things are dark.

It's easy to be grateful when things are fabulous. 

If you are here, and functioning on any kind of productive level, after the year we've had, celebrate.

You've earned it. We all have.

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Until next time...

May you have all of your holiday wishes come true, no matter how big or how small.

May you make the best of whatever this season brings, find joy, have a ball.

May you, if you find yourself alone, surrounded by a darkness that threatens to swallow you, reach out.

May you know, right now, in this moment, you matter, you're loved, if we don't hear your whispers, shout.

May you find peace, may your find joy, may you breathe without apprehension, sigh without sorrow.

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Traditions...Celebrating and Creating...

 

Hi!

Christmas baking. It's a tradition that is generations deep in our family.

This is going to have to be a bit short and sweet.

Everybody has their own traditions, and sometimes the tradition is to not have any. 

With December upon us, I just want to wish every single one of you a Happy Holiday!

And yes, I did say 'Holiday'. 

Once again, there are those who are trying desperately to manufacture some kind of imaginary war on Christmas. And, once again, we will try to find out why they think so.

Once again, saying Happy Holidays in no way forbids anyone from saying Merry Christmas. 

Thinking it does, just doesn't make any sense. Granted, a lot of the people who think the word Holiday somehow cancels the word Christmas, also think that JFK junior is going to come back to life and make Trump king of... I have no idea...something, so making sense isn't exactly something that comes easy to them. 

I know this may sound harsh, but this 'war' has supposedly been going on for a while now, and as far as I can tell, people still say Merry Christmas, and nothing happens, except it makes people smile. People also say Happy Holidays and get the same reaction.

So, let's review. People say Merry Christmas, and everything is fine.

People say Happy Holidays, and everything is fine.

December is a month that celebrates a ton of holidays for a whole whack of religions and cultures, Christmas is but one of them. Saying Happy Holidays is just a simple way to not exclude anyone.

Then again, the folks that think a Christmas war exists don't tend to be too crazy about inclusivity. 

I'm sensing a theme.

It seems certain people are trying to create a fight where there is none. 

Well, anyway, time to go make some really delicious things that are full of butter, chocolate, and everything else that makes people smile. 

 Happy Holidays! 

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May this Holiday season be filled with joy and laughter. 

Yeah. Lots of that.

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