Happy Sunday!
The week did not start out well. Waking up to news about the largest mass shooting on US soil was both horrifying and disheartening. Horrifying because it happened and disheartening because I knew it meant listening to those in DC saying their thoughts and prayers were with the victims but not doing a damn thing to prevent it from happening again. I knew it meant listening to a white man with access to automatic weapons would be described as a mentally ill “lone wolf” instead of the terrorist he is. I knew it meant the GOP explaining away the right to bear arms versus the privilege of health care in order to earn that NRA bribery money they have all received. I knew it meant another divisive discussion about something that should not be difficult. I don’t know if there ever was a time where human life meant more than corporate/lobbyist money, but I knew on Monday that we would find out yet again that all those in DC care about is the money. The rest of the week passed in a blur. Still, every time I went online, the news was…well…not good. I wish someone would explain to me why Republicans seem to hate women so much. Or anyone not male and white and rich.
The thing is we can either give in to the negativity or rise above it. After all, love trumps hate. It is time we remember this and act on it in our own lives. I am tired of feeling SO angry. I am tired of feeling impotent. So, I want to make a concerted effort to be more positive. For that reason, I am trying something new today, adopted from Jenny from Reading the End.
Proud of:
Holly makes me so proud almost every single day. Her enthusiasm for her passions is heartwarming. This week, I am particularly proud of the fact that she is becoming more and more active in school and in politics. For the last 53 years, the middle school has held a convention for student council presidential elections. Modeled just like the Democratic and Republican national conventions, each class represents one of the fifty states. They have to present their votes to the chairperson along with three facts about their state. They make banners and signs. The candidates have to give speeches, along with their campaign managers. This year, Holly was nominated by the middle school teachers to be the party chairperson and host the event. For two+ hours, she was in front of the entire student body calling up the state representatives, the various candidates and their campaign managers, and providing banter to fill in the silences while students moved to and from the stage. She came home so excited and happy with how it went. I love that she is becoming more aware of the political process. I love that she is overcoming shyness and not afraid to put herself out there in such a public fashion. She shows more bravery than I ever did when I was her age. How can that not make a mother proud?
Enjoyed:
It may be weird, but Jim and I have been thoroughly enjoying rewatching the television series “Dexter.” I have been wanting to go back and pick up old shows that we either never finished or never got around to watching, and this is the first show we both are watching together. The show is amazing and addictive, and I look forward to cuddling next to Jim to watch the next episode each night.
Charmed by:
I don’t know about you but according to my Insta feed, crafting projects involving thread/yarn have become very popular these days. I love the fact that something most people associate with grandmothers has become such a popular hobby these days. I love how people embrace their passions without giving it another thought, without worrying about what their friends may thing, without worrying whether it is a popular thing to do or not. I love that so many twenty-somethings and thirty-somethings think nothing of pulling out their knitting or crochet needles. This is such a refreshing attitude that always charms me, and I am constantly in awe at their talent and their nonchalance.
Happy about:
As I type this, Holly and I are still at the dance convention. I love spending this alone time with her, even if she does complain about my snoring. These weekends may be exhausting because of having to be extroverted for two days, but I always look forward to them too.
I hope everyone is having a wonderful weekend and enjoying the weather. I wish you all a great week, and I’ll see you back here next week!
**********
Here are past posts from the few last weeks in case you missed them the first time:
- It’s Monday! What Are You Reading? – 2 October 2017
- They walk among us in The Clockwork Dynasty
- Ringer is worth the wait
- Become enchanted by The Waking Land
- Fabulous Friday – 6 October 2017
I can barely look at the news these days. I know I should stay informed…but it’s a balance between knowing and protecting myself. 🙁
Speaking of yarn arts, though, I wish more people knew how to tat. My mom knows and she’s tried to teach me, but I’m a poor student. It’s very much a dying art. Maybe it’ll get a resurgence too.
I am just so surprised that the news can continue to shock me and anger me and confuse me that we are still talking about this. The hatred towards women, the hatred towards immigrants, the hatred towards people of color – it boggles my mind that the media is giving voice to this minority. And I hate how they give the president the validation he needs by making his asinine comments and behavior “headline news.” I am ready to go into isolation and no one need bother me until there is nuclear war.
I will admit I had to look up tatting. Making lace in general is a dying art. I know Candace from Beth Fish Reads makes it. Or did. You should ask if she knows how to tat.
Oh, the news is horrid and yet I can’t stop watching. Did you notice how quickly the news turned from the victims to other topics? Two days. TWO DAYS! We move too fast these days. I remember after Sandy Hook, it took a total of 5 days to move on to other topics but this event? Two day. Unbelievable. Of course, with the current administration it’s not hard to one-up themselves.
I can’t watch it. Having a narcissistic megalomaniac in the White House and several hundred people in Congress too afraid to stand up to him is bad for my health. Look how quickly we moved on from Puerto Rico! There has been very little about the wild fires in California. And maybe a follow-up to Houston or Florida would be nice. Instead, we have to deal with IQ tests and how staff members have to manage temper tantrums. UGH!
I love this format! It is so hard to follow the news these days without getting so angry. I’ve had to unfollow certain news sources because I want to say all the bad words to them for promoting Trump and his stupidity. Ugh.
That is so awesome that Holly was picked to do that and enjoyed it. There’s no way I would’ve had the guts to do that at her age. And I saw your posts on Instagram about the convention and her being a scholarship finalist – that is just so awesome!!
I have really noticed the craftiness making a comeback. When I was watching football last night and too distracted to read, I was thinking it would be nice to have something to do with my hands. May have to start up cross-stitch again.
I think we all need new curse words. I say the old ones so often these days about the news and the president that they are losing their meaning.
She had quite the week last week. I am just too proud for words!
Let me tell you, football games are a perfect way to get in several hours of crafting without having to feel guilty about sitting down and doing nothing for those three to four hours. And if you are like me and watch the games, reading is never an option. It has been fun doing all of these projects again.