Here we are. Another Friday.
More crap.
When I first sat down yesterday to prepare today’s Sanctuary post . . . I was truly at a loss. Even though I knew I needed Sanctuary more than (maybe) ever before (which makes me think that maybe you need it, too) I was having a hard time, well . . . feeling it.
(Because, really. Who even ARE these people???)
(But I digress.)
Anyway. I sat out on the patio . . . looking at the space where my mulberry tree used to be . . . and I thought about the whole 4th of July concept . . . and I ate two cherry popsicles. And I did my best to change my attitude.
So, here goes.
Some Sanctuary for all of us.
Something to read if you don’t feel like celebrating today . . .
This comes from the poet Danielle Coffyn, and I think it’s brilliant.
How to Celebrate the Fourth of July When America is a Constant Disappointment
Build a little banned books library for the neighborhood children. Hoard Plan B for your sisters & daughters & nieces & friends. Forgo fireworks & provide comfort to shelter dogs frightened by the noise. Plant explosions of rose & dahlia across your yard – make your lawn a rainbow welcome mat for pollinators & love. Learn & acknowledge the names of Indigenous lands where you stand. Deliver water bottles & food to the unhoused. Sing Joan Baez. Read Langston Hughts. Dance to Bruce Springsteen. Boycott Amazon. Savor the fireflies while you still can.
— Danielle Coffyn
So.
I won’t be attending any parties or fireworks explosions or putting up a flag today (although I did give serious consideration to the latter, but in the end I just don’t feel like it) (hand me another cherry popsicle, please). But I will work in my garden and forward a few projects I’ve got going. I’ll probably listen to Hamilton. Maybe check in with my kids. I’ll comfort JoJo when the neighborhood fireworks onslaught begins. And I’ll have a glass of wine on the patio.
I recommend that you do the same. And by that I mean . . . find some ways to celebrate things YOU love. Spread your own, personal messages the best way you know how. Don’t give up. Don’t give in.
Oh. And I am standing on Potawatami land. (Use the interacative map linked in this NPR article to learn about the Indigenous land you stand on.)
Something to watch because it’s just magical . . .
Remember how much fun the Summer Olympics were last summer? How they gave us all a nice little boost? Well, here’s a clip of something you may have missed last summer. It’s Ukrainian rhythmic gymnast Taisiia Onofriichuk performing an amazing hoop routine to Michael Jackson’s Thriller. This is her qualifying round performance (because, unfortunately, her finals round wasn’t quite so stellar). Anyway. I think it’s inspiring to watch people doing impossible things.
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Something for when you have no more fucks to give . . .
Y’know. If you’re like me and ran out long ago.
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And let’s finish up with something to make us laugh . . .
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And that’ll do it for this week, my friends.
I hope you found some . . . sanctuary . . . here today.
At least for a few minutes.
Enjoy the weekend!
Find some joy.
Protect your peace.
Celebrate YOUR way.
Stand tall.
And have a popsicle (or maybe two or three).
Your plans for today sound lovely. Sara & Fern are coming for dinner, so Lucy and I are enjoying some quiet time … books and knitting for me, and naps for Lu
I didn’t watch fireworks last night, I won’t again tonight, and I’m not flying a flag. I am going to Justin’s to enjoy lunch with the family and when I get home tonight I’m lighting my “no more f*cks to give” candle and maybe ordering more f*ckity f*ck f*ck fabric from Spoonflower. Thanks for the poem.
P.S. I’m on Lenni-Lenape land.
There’s a lot here. Love the rhythmic gymnast. Your Potawatomi comment reminds me of a Canadian flight attendant podcaster who always gives the indigenous ancestry of every location she podcasts her knitting adventures from. Wish we did more of the same here. My husband who is interested in such things tells me there were more than 500 tribes in, I believe, all of North America. Will have to check out those Instagram posts. I guess we all could use some daily head vacuuming.
Thank you, Kym.
Yep we are all scraping the bottom of the barrel.
I think I will read the Declaration of Independence, then work on some art/craft projects I have going.
Loved all the things you posted for today.
I’m sorry but NO! America is not a mess (nor a “constant disappointment” either). Our Government is a mess. I AM flying my AMERICAN flag every day including today. This is our country and we love it. The Government not so much but we’ve had lousy government in the past and … it passed. This will too. As long as we don’t give up on our country.
Thanks Kym, I’m also not feeling much to celebrate. I bought a red and blue “Everyone is Welcome Here” t-shirt in honor of the Idaho teacher who quit rather than take down a poster in her classroom. I was going to wear it today — but you know, it’s a big fat lie, out there in the world. So I’ll wear it anyway (probably just to the farmer’s market, and maybe if we have dessert at our friend’s house [where it might be true]) — and talk about other lies, like Liberty and Justice for All, etc. Because it is a time to give a fuck, even if hope is hard to find. Also, I LOVED the pants video.
Kym I don’t know how you did it. I mean, actually made me smile here all alone in my house in mourning for the love of my life and my country’s most disadvantaged citizens. You achieved the impossible, so if you don’t feel good about much today, feel really good about that. I need to have something to suck the bullshit out of my head right now, and I am seriously out of fucks. I got up at 4:30, walked Boomer, and worked in the yard before it became as hot as an A bomb. It needed to be done, and it was a great distraction as physical labor usually is. And it is a distraction that looked great when I finished. I am going to lay low with Boomer and hope he doesn’t have a nervous breakdown. I read this article this morning, and it reminded me that there are people who share my values. https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/big-beautiful-bill-passes-vote-gop-trump/ BTW, I live on Chickasaw land.