Tag Archives: books

Embracing Connections: Life Lessons and Fall Cleanup

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The cleanup has begun. A hint of fall is in the air. I have given away the last of my squash to the food bank and met a wonderful bunch of workers there who talk to me each time I go. One of the women volunteers even gave me advice to pass on to my kiddo, who is looking for work in his field. We had things in common and talked a while. It is strange how we connected, especially over worries about our children. Communication is always the key to life, isn’t it? You never know where it will take you.

And speaking of connections, I have been following Renea Winchester for years, a writer originally from Georgia who now lives in Appalachia in North Carolina. She is a wonderful storyteller, and her words inspire me to carry on into the next chapter in my life. Her latest book, The Mountains Remember, details the history of her ancestors who lived in the Great Smoky Mountains. Her characters are strong and resilient, rooted in her family’s history in the mountains. The home featured on the cover is now a museum in the Great Smoky Mountains State Park. I encourage you to purchase her books. It will lift your spirits in the winter months. Visit her website at https://blogthefarm.wordpress.com/ to follow her story.

So, as I prepare beds for planting the multitudes of brightly colored bulbs, hoping for a beautiful spring, I know I will be ready for what life may bring in the winter of my years. We contracted for a new, more efficient sprinkler system in the spring, hoping for a greener future. (And there is always hope for a good snowpack this year!)

As long as I have a brain that works, I’ll keep listening, making new connections, giving hope and encouragement when I can, and writing my story.

I encourage you to donate money, produce, or canned goods to the Louisville Community Food Bank on Taylor Street. https://communityfoodshare.org It is a worthy cause!

REVERENT

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Reverent: An adjective that means showing profound respect, awe, or veneration. It describes a humble, serious attitude of deep admiration—often bordering on worship—toward a religious deity, a person, or something held as sacred. Synonyms: Respectful, devout, admiring, and venerating.

I’ve been thinking lately about the things I hold dear to my heart and how I revere them. In my case, it’s not about anything religious but about an appreciation of things from my past, such as books and the authors who wrote them, an amazing building such as the Obama Center and the root of the Obama Foundation, and all of his family and people whom I respect, a beautiful piece of art or music, a beautiful landscape, incredible night skies as viewed from the heights of the Colorado Rockies, or simply a well-designed old-fashioned filing system.

1.  I used to lend books from my personal library to friends. I learned that most people considered these works expendable rather than treasured pieces of my collection. When I didn’t receive some of the out-of-print works back, I stopped lending them. I had to research thrift stores to find the ones I’d lost. I found most of them, but I no longer lend books. These are treasures I revere, and most people don’t understand the adventures I return to when I reread them. Hopefully, the ones I’ve kept will help my offspring revisit the lands I went to in the past.

This is an AI compilation of what some of the great writers write about the meaning of reverence: The concept of reverence spans philosophy, theology, and nature. The most prominent authors who have explored reverence across different disciplines include:

  • Paul Woodruff: A philosopher and classicist whose book, Reverence: Renewing a Forgotten Virtue (2001), is widely considered the defining modern text on the subject. He defines reverence as the virtue that keeps us from overreaching and helps us recognize human limitations in the face of the unknown, truth, and nature.
  • Albert Schweitzer: Nobel Peace Prize-winning theologian and humanitarian who originated the famous ethical principle of “Reverence for Life”. His philosophy demands universal compassion and respect for all living things.
  • Mary Oliver & Wendell Berry: Renowned poets and essayists who frequently write on the intersection of nature, humanity, and the sacred, urging a reverent approach to the natural world.
  • Paul Nicklen: A celebrated wildlife photographer and conservationist whose visual and written works (such as Reverence) cultivate a deep awe and respect for polar ecosystems and the wild planet.
  • Eric Sloane: Author and artist known for A Reverence for Wood, which explores the historical, spiritual, and physical relationship early North American settlers had with timber.

For more quotes, visit the Daily Good website. I was particularly blown away by Paul Woodruff’s insight on leadership, and Wendell Berry’s thoughts about the future: Why Reverence Matters

2.  Looking at what the Obamas have accomplished with their Foundation and the Obama Center makes me humble in my accomplishments. To have something as wonderful as they have created makes me want to work harder to explore the universe and help others gain a sense of the world beyond themselves. It makes me want to read more, write more, and share my views with all the young people who will take over the world someday. I want to visit the Center someday and revel in the world of art, music, and learning about their accomplishments firsthand. I hope every large city can create something wonderful like this for ALL people to enjoy, not just the privileged few.

3.  When I view beautiful works of art, particularly current studies of people or places, I cry. The talent these folks show always amazes me, and I am in awe of their accomplishments. I could never duplicate their skill, so I don’t try. Instead, my creative efforts go into writing about people who do these things. My characters are composites of people I know, and their fictional talents are drawn from real artists’ accomplishments. Writing is an art as well, and we should revere all those who create in their own ways.

4. The same reverence holds true for great music. I’m not talking about just the classics but about people who choose to make a joyful noise no matter their talent. The effort to improve oneself through music brings harmony. When my aunt and uncle took me to my first concert at a local high school, I felt so privileged to dress up in my finest clothes and patent-leather shoes. For such a little kid, I was still in my heart for a little while, listening to the sound of harmony. I cried at the beautiful sounds the orchestra made, even though they didn’t understand why I was crying. It impacted me for the rest of my life. I joined the band, and later a choir. Today, when I go to concerts, I feel the same, and my life is better for having heard great artists. It’s hard to explain that feeling, but I know others have it in them when I see their faces. They get it.

5. When I first came out to Colorado, I was overwhelmed by the beauty of the mountains and the incredible landscape, the heights of the mountains and the great expanse of blue sky during the day, and the stars and planets shining down on us at night. It was so different from where I grew up. And, when I went camping in my early years, away from any night glow of civilization, I was immersed in the beauty of the world outside this earth. The night skies spoke to me about places we might explore someday. This beauty is what we should hold onto and keep the hope alive for a better tomorrow. This is the world we should hold in reverence.

6.  Finally, I am so grateful for growing up in the times I did. I have enormous respect for librarians and record-keepers who enriched my life. There is nothing more beautiful than going into the library for the first time when you are a kid, seeing the vast landscape of books, and looking forward to the adventure held in each book you check out. The librarians were my friends, and it was a safe place for a nerdy kid to hang out and just be herself. And although bookstores would become my next-best friends over the years, I still appreciate the librarians who taught me a lot about life. The libraries were places where I learned about the catalog files, at the time a low-tech (or no-tech), but well-designed, old-fashioned filing system. Organization and research became ingrained in my blood. Record-keepers became my gods and goddesses, and they taught me the value of maintaining and retrieving things. I loved the orderliness, and it helped me later when the computer kids helped me create an online data system for research and crime-analysis files. I still use these manual record-keeping systems today, and organize my computer files in a similar way.

So, as I age, I reflect on my learning roots and appreciate those who started it all, those librarians and file clerks who shaped me. I understand their protective nature and how they felt when kids wouldn’t respect the rules, making their world more complicated. I liked working with the librarians. I liked filing. I revel in the joy of organizing and researching even to this day. It helps my brain make order in the universe. (I would have been a great librarian in the Library of Congress!)

I understand that when people touch my personal stuff, I want them to see me and how I see the world. I want them to respect those things I hold dear and revere them as I do. In conclusion, I guess I am a personification of all of those librarians and organizers of the world when it comes right down to it. The system is necessary to preserve the past. What we revere will survive in this world of chaos. So, thank you, wonderful people, for keeping our learning centers alive. Thank you, President and Mrs. Obama, for creating a beautiful library and museum. Words and art matter. Let’s preserve them the best way we know how. I love you all and hope you are safe and comfortable tonight.

WORDS MATTER

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“Even the little ones. The little ones matter the most, in fact. All the most powerful words are brief.”—Jim Butcher, Twelve Months

I am reading the final edition of The Dresden Files by Jim Butcher. His beautifully crafted and funny novels have moved me for over 26 years. His creative mind gave me solace throughout my years of extraordinary life changes. His world allowed me to escape for a little while, and his personal life’s ups and downs gave his words meaning. They mattered to me. And although the world he created was in Chicago, his moving to Colorado a few years back is reflected in this final battle to save humanity and live a decent life with his family.

I am impressed by writers who stick to a story this long. It took me longer to write the trilogy than it did him to write his 18-book series.  Writers like him and others who create worlds with their wonderful words inspired me to create my own story and battles of heroes and critters from out of this world. I appreciate his writing more than he’ll ever know. Thank you, Jim Butcher, for continuing your saga and now supporting your son in his endeavors. So cool!

Main Novel List (In Order):

  1. Storm Front (2000)
  2. Fool Moon (2001)
  3. Grave Peril (2001)
  4. Summer Knight (2002)
  5. Death Masks (2003)
  6. Blood Rites (2004)
  7. Dead Beat (2005)
  8. Proven Guilty (2006)
  9. White Night (2007)
  10. Small Favor (2008)
  11. Turn Coat (2009)
  12. Changes (2010)
  13. Ghost Story (2011)
  14. Cold Days (2012)
  15. Skin Game (2014)
  16. Peace Talks (2020)
  17. Battle Ground (2020)
  18. Twelve Months (2026) 

Isn’t that the most important thing in life? To keep your family safe from the throes of mass destruction? In today’s trying times, it’s necessary to return to the concept of safety while creating a story of meaningful acts through positive words. That kind of atmosphere in our neighborhoods will ensure that everyone is protected from chaos, regardless of their skin color. They are your neighbors. Protect them. If we stick together, we can overcome anything, including the madness happening because of those madmen in power. Words matter. Kind words matter even more.

And continue to read, read, read good books. Don’t be swayed by the easy way out of streaming media that’s negative and takes you down the doomsday path. Read classics, read fiction, read good non-fiction. Your life should be full of great novels and promising new authors. I have many favorites, but Jim wisely said, “You can’t pick a favorite…they’re books. They’re pieces of someone’s mind and soul. They’re almost friends.”—Jim Butcher, Twelve Months

So, don’t forget to set aside a time to read every day. And if you’re looking for a fun escape, feel free to purchase and delve into my Caitlin Ferguson mysteries and the Silver Ranger Mini-Series available on Amazon during Spring Break. Thanks for your support! Drusilla Tieben author page.

I love you all on this wild and windy day! Hope and Spring are in the air!

Wishing for a Real Tamson House

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“Everybody needs a bit of a quiet space once in a while, a place they can just be themselves….”—Charles de Lint

I just finished re-reading Spiritwalk, by Charles de Lint. This was a continuation of Moonheart by him, which I also re-read. In the book, there is a wonderful, very large house, almost a castle, in Ottawa, Canada, where all can come together in their weirdness. It is magical and a home I wish I had grown up in. Tamson House was explained as a “strange sort of place…that draws people to it—but only the right kind of people. They’re the kind of people who are a little different.” De Lint goes on to describe these people who don’t quite fit in the outside world. They are the sensitive, artistic, or troubled souls who see beyond the current plane of existence and are uncomfortable in the real world. The house picks them to stay, and they become part of an evolving group who live there because their differences are the norm.

The author’s philosophy of life and how we live harmonizes with my very soul and gives me hope that there are like-minded people out there who are braving the turmoil like me. Here are a few of the points made that struck a chord not only to the depth of their characters, but to me personally:

  • “When people are born, they’re still at one with the world, but they lose that harmony as they get older.”
  • The characters believe they have gifts to give others and “help ease the aging hearts of people before they enter the winter of their lives….”
  • People tend to “…shut their eyes, their hearts, their minds to everything that’s around them….”

So, very much like these wonderful characters, I believe that people like me and those who think like me are put here on this earth “…to show people the way back, and restore harmony with the universe.

So, I say again, his characters live a life that I try to live, one of exchanging positivity, lending a helping hand, and bringing those back from the brink, letting others know that “What we are doesn’t change….” We can give in to despair, or we can lend a helping hand, lend hope, explaining that it doesn’t matter if others think we are weak or what shape we wear. If we turn our backs on what we are, loving, kind, caring people, despite everything that is thrown at us, that will be the death of us all. That is true weakness. There are sooooo many more fantastic words of wisdom in this book. I hope you check it out and support this author. He is amazing. Charles de Lint Spiritwalk

If we all have faith in ourselves and believe we can make a difference, that is the strength of a United People. There is beauty in humankind if we look for it and fight the haters. I have taken this final quote to new levels of meaning and have used it in several of my speaking engagements and publications over the years. I thank the author for putting it out there and hope he doesn’t mind my adulation. I hope you enjoy it and learn from it as much as I have:

“Inside us lies every possibility that is available to a sentient being. Every darkness, every light. It is the choices we make that decide who or what we will be [Emphasis mine].

Love each other tonight and sing praises to the Bad Bunny half-time show. A session of love!

National Curmudgeons Day

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A curmudgeon personality is characterized by a tendency to critically evaluate stimuli, with both negative- and positive-normed stimuli viewed negatively (negative dispositional attitudes). Curmudgeons see positive- and negative-emotion qualities, and evidently in the same attitude object, but they weigh qualities to avoid higher than qualities to approach. Excerpt from: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0191886915301148

Today is National Curmudgeons Day! We have become what we’re celebrating, but it’s okay if we embrace it and try to dig out of the sadness!

Among other things celebrated today are:
Puzzle Day
Corn Chip Day
Seeing Eye Dog Day
Freethinkers Day

I am just grateful to still be here after this crazy month! I hope I’m not the doom-and-gloom curmudgeon some of my relatives and friends are, but I have a tendency to go down that road more often than I’d like to. I am, however, forced to be in the world of technology, so I don’t grouse (too much) about all of that (I definitely don’t go back to that crutch: Well, in the old days…. We are certainly back in the old days right now, so come on, folks! Even at my lowest point lately, I know things are changing, and we should not wish to return to the past. So, I implore you all to embrace the future in a positive way, one that doesn’t involve the madness we have right now. Phew!

But of course, this got me thinking about the last one: Freethinkers Day:

Fast Andy or POTUS and Past Lives episode (The Rookie, Season 8, Episode 2). In this episode, the president comes to Los Angeles, and of course, the local police have to work with the Secret Service and other Federal agencies to get the president safely through their town. There is a perceived assassination threat, and havoc ensues. Turns out, one of Nolan’s rookies, Selena, who understands things that are not quite of this world, especially past lives, is paired up with a secret service agent who believes he is the secret service man who failed to protect Lincoln, and he was reincarnated to be the agent who protects the current president. The interesting takeaway from this scenario is that, although Selena understands there are many layers to this world, not everyone is reincarnated as a famous person. We may be a product of our family’s history, but we weren’t all famous.

So this led me down the path of what a Free Thinker really entails, and what is real?
In my mind, the connection to this current drama brought back the 1990s SNL: Jack Handey’s Deep Thoughts and his obsurdacles (my word for it). It helped me understand that those Deep Thoughts are what some people come up with when faced with real facts.

It also made me return to all of the old fantasies about a world beyond what we see every day. You know, what some people call the woo-woo stuff, such as in the fantasy books of Charles de Lint, a Canadian fantasy author. I once connected and felt the energies beyond the so-called natural world. Re-reading his books made me think about what else is out there and how I can tap back into this energy and help others who are struggling. His novels about the old ways speak a profound message if you take the time to think. Whether we believe it is real doesn’t make it less real. We should all try to understand others’ thoughts about the origin of our reality and where we go when we leave this plane of existence. The new gods don’t allow us to explore meanings beyond the dogma and message of doom being poured out to the masses. We have a choice in what we do with our lives. We can take a chance and speak out and defy fear. We have a choice to be those Free Thinkers who sort through all the materials and come up with solutions that make sense. We can choose to reject ridiculous explanations for wrongdoing when we see it with our own eyes. We have a choice to do the right thing every day of our lives. And, if it comes to it where we are in harm’s way to protect others, that is the right choice. That is what we need to do.

So, as we age, I hope we all become wiser people and surpass our parents’ wisdom. I hope we reach out and connect with others to solve the devastating problems that are ongoing, and not put our heads back in the sand or under a blanket, hoping it will be better tomorrow. I hope each day we reach out to those in need and embrace the consequences of our actions, without fear of retribution from the crazies. Let’s all try not to become a curmudgeon this day. Let’s all work on positivity!

And, so what if you burst into the “Gopher Guts” song in mid-afternoon because it popped into your head and made you laugh? (I know you know it!) It’s a mechanism to keep your sanity in this world of denial and chaos. Go ahead, sing along! You’ll be happy you did! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TR1ajf5Yh7w

I love you all and stay warm and cozy!

Return to the Cycle of 365 Days of Kindness

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So, I didn’t quite meet my goal of writing 365 blog posts over the last year, but I am returning to it all the same, in hopes of continuing the conversation into the new year. Today will be my 212th post since November 2024. I thought writing something every day was a worthy goal, but alas, life gets in the way, and other writing takes precedence. So, in moments of downtime, I would like to attempt this once again.

I have been thinking about the past once again and where we are today. I have a huge notebook full of notes and thoughts on my family and friends that will lead me towards the path of the next book. Many years ago, I thought the first book would be called Different Drummer because, hey, that is the path I took. But there are many, many, worthy books with that title, so I am working on it. I do have some great story ideas and family memories. I also have great stories from others, which I hope to present in my writing as well, in the best possible way.

Researching the past has led me to contemplate my time trekking the hills and valleys throughout my life. I know there were many roads not taken and many more miles to go before I can get a good night’s sleep. (I know, Robert Frost is turning over in his grave!) But I realized I sidestepped pathways that needed to be taken, ones that kept coming back to me over and over, and yet I kept returning to them. Once I faced (most of) those insurmountable hills and valleys, I  moved on to the next phase of my life. I have stopped dreaming about all the ‘what ifs’ (most of them) and made a new dream come true. But that’s the point of life, isn’t it? We face new challenges each day and move on to teach others how to do the same. I am still thinking about the next book title and where I will go. Writing about it always leads the way.

“If a man does not keep pace with his companions,
perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer.
Let him step to the music which he hears,
However measured or far away.”
—Henry David Thoreau

“You and I travel to the beat of a different drum
Oh, can’t you tell by the way I run
Every time you make eyes at me.
….You can’t see the forest for the trees
Yes, and I ain’t sayin’ you ain’t pretty
All I’m saying’s I’m not ready for any person
Place or thing to try and pull the reins in on me….”
Stone Poneys – Linda Ronstadt version
Songwriter: Michael Nesmith

Thanks to all who support my crazy writing career and read the books I have created so far.

Loving you all and wishing for snow tonight! Stay safe out there! See you at the Rec!

Home for the Holidays

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I have returned to a book I have loved and found more wisdom to share. I am re-reading parts of David Brooks’ book, How to Know a Person, published in 2023. Christmas is here, and communication is the key not only to staying connected to your family but also to staying in touch with the world. His insights about how to actually communicate with people have helped me get through some interesting times. For example:

“I learned something profound along the way. Being open-hearted is a prerequisite for being a full, kind, and wise human being. But it is not enough. People need social skills. We talk about the importance of “relationships,” “community,” “friendship,” “social connection,” but these words are too abstract. The real act of, say, building a friendship or creating a community involves performing a series of small, concrete social actions well: disagreeing without poisoning the relationship; revealing vulnerability at the appropriate pace; being a good listener; knowing how to end a conversation gracefully; knowing how to ask for and offer forgiveness; knowing how to let someone down without breaking their heart; knowing how to sit with someone who is suffering; knowing how to host a gathering where everyone feels embraced; knowing how to see things from another’s point of view.” [Brooks, David. How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen (pp. 7-8). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]

And:
“There is one skill that lies at the heart of any healthy person, family, school, community organization, or society: the ability to see someone else deeply and make them feel seen—to accurately know another person, to let them feel valued, heard, and understood. That is at the heart of being a good person, the ultimate gift you can give to others and to yourself [Emphasis mine]. Human beings need recognition as much as they need food and water. No crueler punishment can be devised than not to see someone, to render them unimportant or invisible.” [Brooks, David. How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen (p. 9). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]

And finally:
“Many of our big national problems arise from the fraying of our social fabric. If we want to begin repairing the big national ruptures, we have to learn to do the small things well.” [Emphasis mine.] [Brooks, David. How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen (p. 12). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]

“Big questions interrupt the daily routines people fall into and prompt them to step back and see their life from a distance. Here are some of my favorite questions that do that:
‘What crossroads are you at?’
‘What would you do if you weren’t afraid?’
‘If you died tonight, what would you regret not doing?’
‘If we meet a year from now, what will we be celebrating?’
‘If the next five years are a chapter in your life, what is that chapter about?’
‘Can you be yourself where you are and still fit in?’” [Emphasis mine.]  [Brooks, David. How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen (pp. 90-91). Random House Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.]

So to put it mildly, think about open-ended conversations that keep people engaged. Have fun listening to others, only pausing them if they get too wrapped up in their B.S. Ask them to move on without either of you getting angry. Try to find a happy solution to differences, and be at peace with the fact that no one will share your every opinion.

I encourage you to read David Brooks and learn something new. Emanate love to all those surrounding you this holiday season. Keep your fun traditions (Lego Villages and baking cookies!) and shed all those that bring you sadness. Sing joyously with the Christmas CDs (or Spotify! Or wherever you get your music!). Enjoy the baking, the loving moments, and the memories you share with your family and friends.

AND Don’t forget to buy my book, available instantly on Amazon (ebook version). for a terrific present! Thanks to all of you who support my work!

I love you all on this crazy Colorado night. Hoping for no power outages, insane wind, and maybe even a little moisture! Have a terrific holiday season, and if I don’t write until the new year, be at peace with me and my messages, with yourself and others for a little while.

An Official Storyteller

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I pulled out my faded, brown-around-the-edges Robert Fulghum paperbacks today because I needed a boost about why I write and care about things so much. Robert Fulghum inspired me from the beginning of my ridiculous writing career and kept me going when life got me down. He is one of the funniest and poignant writers I have ever had the privilege of reading. His first book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, was published in 1986, and remained on the best-seller list for over 2 years! It is still in publication today, and I asked for the 25th Anniversary edition for Christmas, which has 25 new stories! The first chapter still blows me away, and I’ve quoted it so many times in so many places (including this blog) that I almost have it memorized. I encourage everyone to read and re-read this book.

Needless to say, he is one of my heroes, has had an amazing life, was born in Waco, Texas, was a college professor at Baylor, and a Unitarian Universalist minister, and is still going strong at 88! And, by the way, he lives in Moab, Utah (well, and on the island of Crete, Greece as well). What a life! I am striving to become a great storyteller like him. I don’t know if I’ll make it to those lofty heights before I die, but I can keep trying.

Robert Fulghum’s Storyteller’s Creed:
“I believe that imagination is stronger than knowledge.
That myth is more potent than history.
That dreams are more powerful than facts.
That hope always triumphs over experience.
That laughter is the only cure for grief.
And I believe that love is stronger than death.”
For more interesting reading about writing, go to the Hub Pages website at:
https://discover.hubpages.com/literature/The-Storytelling-Profession

While writing Discover the Life you Want to Live, I interviewed many people and asked them to create and write out their Credo, or personal Creed. I was happily surprised by what people told me. And of course, mine was long and convoluted with lots of sub-sections. But the main thing that this exercise taught me is that most people are inherently good beneath the surface. They do the right thing most of the time. And if they screw up, they try to make it right. I wish we could all say that about everyone in power. All I know is that if we focus on our families and people we mentor, help guide them to make the right decisions, even if it is not how we would do it, then our little part of the world will become a better place. And if everyone starts this as a movement, the whole world will become wonderful.

“We’re all a little weird. And life is a little weird. And when we find someone whose weirdness is compatible with ours, we join up with them and fall into mutually satisfying weirdness—and call it love—true love.”—Robert Fulghum
For more of his fun quotes, go to:  https://www.azquotes.com/author/5227-Robert_Fulghum

So be as weird as you want and love one another during this holiday season. Have fun with your feast and sing some joyful songs! My heart goes out to all of you and your families!

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11/12/25

When Will You Stop Believing the Lie?

Everyone should have the opportunity to eat a meal and be able to survive. Every child should never go hungry.
Every PERSON, whether adult or child, should have the opportunity to receive an education.

If you make a billion dollars, you should pay your fair share in taxes to support programs for ALL OF US, just like the rest of us.
If you make a million dollars, you should pay your fair share in taxes to support programs for ALL OF US, just like the rest of us.
The middle class should NOT have to bear the burden, but we do it, because IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO.

In Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben’s book, Gone Before Goodbye, the protagonist encounters many of the richest people in the world in Dubai. Her comments about them hit home:
–“Dubai is a playground for the rich and their most hedonistic urges. It’s Disney World for grown-ups who don’t want to be grown-ups. It wants to be salacious and gritty, but it is hard to blend that with the baser need to be safe and comfortable.” [Coben, Harlan; Witherspoon, Reese. Gone Before Goodbye (p. 197). Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition.]
–“…no one looks happy the day after. It all feels a tad desperate and sad. These people are rich and successful and powerful and have everything, but it isn’t enough. That’s the problem. It is never enough. Human nature sees to that. We get used to every luxury. Even the richest men in the world, we’ve seen over the past few years, can’t be satiated, no matter how much money or power or yachts or women or offspring or hero worship or attention or whatever they have….” She also quoted from Bruce Springsteen: “…the poor man wants to be rich, the rich man wants to be king, and the king ain’t satisfied until he rules everything.” [Coben, Harlan; Witherspoon, Reese. Gone Before Goodbye (p. 198). Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition.]

People who feel cheated by this administration believe in THE BIG LIE. Powerful people need to keep the little guy on edge, and it angers everyone who feels they are being taken advantage of by others, even when those others are suffering. They feel a need to hold onto what they have and forget about everyone else. Well, I think that everyone should pay their fair share. Why do we still believe it? Why don’t we care about each other, no matter who we are and how we got here?

And why is it so important to be in that uber-rich class high above the rest of us? Why do we hold onto all the money we have and not share it with the rest of the world? People like those oligarchs just want more money, more status, more of everything. And yet they aren’t very happy at the end of the day. Money did not buy happiness after all for them. Apparently, power is more important than people in this world. And yet, rich people continue to buy their happiness by purchasing others’ support. Is this because they need to control the world? It’s sad for me to think that this is the way the world works.

So, I am putting it out to the Universe to keep reading, keep giving, and enjoy the moments you have on earth. Take a breath and enjoy the week. We can only do what we can. Anxiety might be high right now, but we can help each other no matter what. Sometimes we need to shift our spiraling thoughts and go out and join others in the spectacular Northern Lights’ display. It can humble us to realize how small we truly are in the universe we inhabit.

I love you all on this cloudy day. I am hoping for rain!

When Disagreeing Was a Good Thing

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Remember those days—when we all had differing viewpoints that were welcomed in the conversation? Remember when we could challenge each other and engage in thoughtful discussions, relishing the conversation? Remember when we weren’t so angry, and we continued to listen without interrupting the speaker? When did this change?

I am reading Reese Witherspoon and Harlan Coben’s new book, “Gone Before Goodbye.”  I am not normally a Harlan Coben fan, but I am intrigued by his writing now that he has collaborated with another author on a promising story. Initially, the protagonist attempts to come to terms with her loss and downfall, reflecting on her past. She spoke of her student days, when they would go out drinking after a particularly hard day, and engage in philosophical discussions at the bar (Remember that?) Nostalgia of those college days and early career days brings back memories of when we knew we were so right about everything. In the book, the protagonist stated: “What do you call a longing for critical thinking and common sense and decency?” [Coben, Harlan; Witherspoon, Reese. Gone Before Goodbye (p. 24). Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition.]

As we age, some of us become comfortable and even complacent about the world around us. We don’t listen to others without getting offended over some ridiculous idea. We don’t laugh as often. We often become frustrated with the legal system. “…if you think our legal system is about truth or fairness or equality, you’re either not paying attention or delusional.” [Coben, Harlan; Witherspoon, Reese. Gone Before Goodbye (p. 28). Grand Central Publishing. Kindle Edition.] This quote resonated with me because I still want to believe in a fair and just process. It’s not always there, but I still want to believe, and I continue to pay attention to what is going on in the government, as well as the daily craziness.

But sometimes people of every age just get that glazed look in their eyes when someone tries to convince them they are right, even though their thoughts and actions are really wrong. Discourse turns into a shouting match, and anger ensues. It’s hard to say you are wrong about something. No wonder we are tired. Current events and life as we know it have worn us down, yet we continue to try to keep going. And sometimes, it is just frustrating when a younger person ignores you because they have had bad experiences in their lives dealing with their senior relatives.

But today I am asking millennials, Gen Zs, and Gen Alphas to not lump all of us seniors with the grandparents and parents of the pandemic, who you still cannot talk to because they were so vengeful and hateful (Please take a moment to listen. We really do have some good things to say and do with the rest of our lives.) Sometimes you just have to forgive your relatives for their behaviors and thoughts and move on. Sometimes, you just have to let it all go, even if it means putting off conversations about serious subjects for now. Love them however you can before it’s too late.

Not all of us seniors are bad people or hateful. We still have our faculties, and are those free thinkers that you think your generation invented. There are so many of us who are still trying. We just don’t want to be ignored or become invisible because you think we don’t know anything, or are those angry seniors they portray on the news to get viewers to watch. I have made a promise to my kiddo and the new generations to always take a moment to listen and take on their causes, continuing to write about it and showing respect for everyone, regardless of who they are or what they represent. I give to worthy causes and love all human beings. I ask you all to do the same. Something to think about.

On this cold and dry night beyond the 100th meridian, I am thinking of all of you and sending out this message of hope. I love you all.