I am not up north right now, but I have been there a lot lately. It’s been surprisingly chilly at the lake this year. With a lot of rain. (Let me say that again, with emphasis . . . A LOT of rain.) But one day last week, it was warm-ISH, and the sun came out. It was nice to sit near the water and just . . . be there with it.
Sigh.
I had plans for my blog posts this week. Things I wanted to share with you. Things I wanted to tell you about. Funny things. Life things. But then. Well. Like (probably) many of you . . . I got buried under a bunch of crap that seems to be The Norm these days. It dragged me down. Far and deep. And my blog just seemed . . . trite and meaningless and very far away.
So I spent yesterday avoiding my computer – and the news – while paying bills and organizing my desk and trying not to think about all the things that were determined to worm their way into my brain. I worked hard to remember that even though I am terrified and pissed off and absolutely stymied that we are where we are . . . I also know that I – by myself and on my own – can’t do anything about any of this.
Other than . . .
- Voting.
- And encouraging others to vote.
- And occasionally seeking factual, non-inflammatory sources of information.
- And . . . poetry. (Because, for me, it always comes down to poetry.) (With maybe a glass of wine on the side.)
I needed this . . . and maybe you do, too?
=
So . . . breathe.
Hang in there with me now, friends.
Just. Keep. Breathing.
And be free . . .
I need to add more poetry to my list of distractions and diversions. I have decided that that is the only way I’m going to make it until November (and probably the next four years if I’m honest). I may go broke buying potholder loops but at least it’s a healthy coping mechanism. Keep breathing, immerse yourself in poetry, drink a little wine (and maybe eat a little ice cream, too).
The Norm is the most depressing place on the planet. I am limiting news here as well. And yes, poetry… it is saving my sanity right now. (and I am reveling in grandkid “tennis lesson” highlights… they are quite uplifting and humorous!)
What a wonderful and beautiful poem Kym. Thank you for sharing. Poetry sure has a way of calming one’s soul, doesn’t it? Also, I’m thankful that I can drink wine again! LOL
I am right there with you. And with Wendell Berry too.
The things I am sinking into these days: making colorful quilts for people I love, digging in the garden, taking longer walks and really paying attention to the plants and birds, drawing in my notebook, and reading stories and poetry and some lovely Substack posts. You are wise to find the things you CAN do something about right now.
I am feeling much the same as you . . . I can’t even talk about the news this week but even so it’s weighing me down and I hate that I am letting it get to me. Things that are helping: kitty snuggles, reading, and spending time taking care of the garden.
Thanks, Kym, for the reminder to just … breathe. I really needed that.
>>And occasionally seeking factual, non-inflammatory sources of information.<<
THAT is getting harder and harder to find.
That definitely helped; thank you for that. It’s been a rough week. To a certain extent, I’m dealing with it by putting on (metaphorical) earmuffs. But it also helps to focus on beauty and things that bring joy — hugs from my kid, time spent outdoors, flowers blooming, bees buzzing. I don’t know how we’ll all make it through the rest of the year and keep our sanity, but we’ll take it as it comes.
In early June I began volunteering at a local cat rescue. They have 25 adults and 50 (!!) kittens right now. (“Kitten Season” is real.) Sweeping, mopping and sifting litter in a 10’x12′ room with 20+ kittens “helping” is, it turns out, an excellent distraction from the madness. I hear ya, Sista’.
I am attending a 4-day family reunion next where several/most of the people are born-again Christians and avid Trumpsters. At least Matthew (YS) is going with me, so I will one sane person to chat with. (Actually, my oldest brother, who escaped to Canada in the late 1960s to avoid the draft, and his wife, a former nun, are progressives. So there is that.)
I’m struggling too. Thank you for sharing that beautiful poem, it is just what I need right now. Thank you, Kym!
Terrified. 🙁 Avoiding some news…trying to find some hope.
It’s been a week hasn’t it? Handwork and the beauty in gardens, my own and others, is getting me through. Yes to Voting and the Vote Forward initiatives!