Bloggers, Dreams, and Outings

Well hello there. I hope this blog post finds you well.Last week we took some time off to enjoy the fall weather.

Each little outing we attempted started out with mishaps. I mean mishaps to the point where we almost gave up and said, forget it, let’s not do it.We plunged forward anyway, and each outing turned out perfect.For one of our outings we entered an enchanted forest. Or at least it felt that way.I wondered if talking critters and pixies might approach us at any moment.What does this have to do with bloggers and Dreams, like the title says?

Nothing. I’m changing subjects now.

Lately, I’ve found myself having dreams about my blogger friends. In one dream, I was at some sort of a bloggers convention. Anneli was there, and so was Angela.I remember asking Anneli (in the dream) if I was pronouncing her name correctly.

I also remember asking Angela how she was doing after having to say good by to her beloved Sunburst, the horse.

A few more of you were also there, but I couldn’t make out who was who. One seemed like she might’ve been Kate and the other Kathy.

This has happened before, dreaming about bloggers, and it tells me that you’ve all had a significant influence in my life, and I thank you.I may be scarce (or in and out) in the blogging world in the coming days. Hopefully I’m wrong, but I fear there are some tense days ahead. We’re going to need to take special care during the coming days.

Everyone stay safe and well.

Can You See 2020?

2020 sucks!

That’s what I keep hearing everywhere I go.

Is It Me?

Boy the news cycle changes fast these days, doesn’t it? From a virus, to lockdowns, to opening/closing schools, to chaos in city streets, to wildfires, to hurricanes, and the sad death of a Supreme Court Justice. Whew. I’m out of breath.

Created a Monster

Remember when I shared all the photos from my bird feeder? Remember how excited I was to have some new animal friends?

Snapshot Slideshow

Hi. That’s me in the shadow waving hello to all of you. Can you make out where I might be waving to you from? Take a look at the picture below.

Photos, Fiction, Friends, Fun, Flowers, and Faith

Last week was the first time I returned to the blogging world in a little over two months, and I posted a deep, heavy subject about control. This week I thought I’d go with a lighter subject to share a little bit about what I’ve been up to, and maybe even a tiny spark of hope.

Drained Emotions

I’ve loved lilacs ever since I was a child swinging on our old rusty swing set next to a lilac bush in the back yard. I dreamed of having my own when I grew up. Except, when I did grow up, I moved to Florida where lilac bushes don’t grow.

Emotional Manipulation

PREFACE to this post: I drafted this article before the orchestrated violence began occurring in United States cities. This subject matter does not directly coincide with those riots. However, the upheaval of emotions over it are linked to the topic of this blog. I hope you’ll stick around for the rest, because I think it’s an important message.

***

Proof through the night that our flag was still there

It’s called a crime of passion if a man catches his wife being unfaithful and then murders her lover.

It’s called a crime of passion if a woman catches her husband being unfaithful and murders him.

Does the term “crime of passion” make the act of murder palatable? Do we make it okay to commit murder because they loved and trusted their spouse and they merely reacted from hurt and betrayal?

Of course not.

They made their decisions out of pure emotion. Could our society be making decisions from emotion, and in turn, ruining our lives?

Gaslight the Truth

What if you had information that could save people? What if you took that information to the media, but they switched it around to make it sound like your information was dangerous instead of life-saving? You might ask, why would anyone want to keep away life-saving information from the public? That’s what I’d like to know, too, and it’s why I always research everything I’m told.

Allow me to give an example.

What to do with all these Emotions

As I write this, my emotions are running high. I’m trying to stop and think more clearly . . . figure out how to settle these emotions down.

For Every Action . . .

I’m a little bummed and disappointed this week. Well, I should say first that I’m grateful my family and I are well. Also grateful my husband still has his job, but that may be reevaluated if we don’t get back to work by the end of this month. We’ll cross that bridge if we have to.For now, I’ve been introspecting…wondering how I could’ve done something differently.

Do people understand that what they say or do has consequences? Do they get the concept that for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction?

Regenerated Routine

After we said goodbye to our dog, Max . . . simply doing our regular routine felt like a knife to the gut. He was always there during every routine. It’s difficult to change things up, because I still needed to do all the same things I always did, only without him. I started to write a little about my routine, but how boring. I’ll just get to the point of this post.

Take a Pill

Last week I posted about how a couple of people have tried to rush me to get a new pet after saying goodbye to my beloved dog, Max. Today I’d like to discuss a topic that is related, but more about processing emotions in general.

You might say that those people think they’re trying to help by offering a new pet to stop me from hurting. That may be true, but in many cases, I think this goes even deeper.

Why does much of society think they can obliterate bad times altogether for humanity?

Find Someone Else

If you knew someone who lost their spouse just a few weeks ago, would you say, “I know it’s hard, but there are other men/women out there looking for love. Get on eharmony and find one who needs you?”

Distractions

Have you ever needed a distraction . . . a task or entertainment to get your mind off of something?

Can’t Think Straight

Have you ever experienced times when there is so much going on that you can’t even think straight? How about when you’re emotional about something? Have you ever been so angry your emotions took over and your mind froze? How about grief? Have you ever been deep in sadness and no thoughts mattered . . . only your grief mattered?

Yellow Carpet

I took the above photo on Sunday.

Four Days for Goldilocks

Air conditions are off. Heat pumps and furnaces are off. Goldilocks is enjoying this “just right” weather. Everything is quiet, and I hear something rustling in the brush.

It Happened at the Beauty Salon

Mara climbed out of her car and blinked up at the powder blue sky. A gorgeous September day. She almost wished she didn’t have to go into the salon to get her hair done.

She shrugged; at least she enjoyed the company of the people there. The old fashioned, independent boutique had their regulars, and everyone knew each other. Even the door clanged with a bell when she entered.

“Hi, Mara.” Her stylist waved as she swept up her station. “I’ll be right with you.”

“No problem.” Mara stood near the checkout counter where a gray-haired woman was paying for services. She looked familiar from behind, and then when she spoke, Mara recognized her cousin. “Hello, Gloria. How are you?”

Gloria pivoted slowly, a scowl on her face, eyes squinted, and then she turned right back around toward the cashier without a word.

“Gloria? What’s the matter?” Deep down Mara knew. She didn’t mean to hurt her cousin’s feelings. She had apologized profusely, and Gloria said she accepted her apology. “You’re not going to talk to me anymore?”

With her back to Mara, Gloria spat, “No, I’m not.” She finished paying the cashier and stamped out the door.

Unity, Classic Cars, Football, and Mind Control

I’ve finally been motivated to write my novel again, so blogging has been on the back burner. I’ve also been having a fun, bountiful, busy summer. I apologize for not getting to reading other blogs. I’m going to try and pop in to read them soon.We finally had a party on our new patio. Above, I’ve covered faces for anonymity. Over to the right, they were starting a fire in our firepit table for roasting marshmallows. I got good reviews about the party afterward. It was heavenly and unifying to bring together family with old friends. I, umm…ahem, got a little tipsy, but at least I didn’t have to drive (I paid for it the next day).