Category Archives: News and Serious Stuff

Word Of The Day: Sisu

Posted on by
Reply

Friends and I are in a state of shock and mourning for the death of democracy as well as being really angry at the outcome of the election. We’re trying to process the enormity of this presidential election and how our lives are going to be forever negatively impacted by what’s to come, including Project 2025.

We also don’t know why a recount wasn’t immediately demanded, why Kamala Harris conceded so quickly, and why it seems as if that orange POS convicted felon will escape all accountability for his crimes. Jack Smith TRIED. Where is justice? Remember January 6? I’m still sad, still angry.

E. Jean Carroll and Mary Trump warned all of us:

My go-to solution of a little retail therapy at the dollar store didn’t help. This situation is deeply depressing.

I’m not sure I’m ready to hear this, but I discovered the Finnish word/concept of “sisu”, It means strength of will, determination, perseverance, and acting rationally in the face o adversity.

We’re going to need all of that to continue to fight the good fight. Darkness is being exposed all over the universe.

Sisu is not momentary courage, but the ability to sustain that courage. It’s a word that can’t really be fully translated.

From Wiki: Sisu is extraordinary determination in the face of extreme adversity, and courage that is presented typically in situations where success is unlikely. It expresses itself in taking action against the odds, and displaying courage and resoluteness in the face of adversity; to decide on a course of action and adhering to it even if repeated failures ensue.

The English “gutsy” invokes a similar metaphor (one also found in other languages): the Finnish usage derives from sisus, translated as “interior”, and as “entrails” or “guts” or “intestinal fortitude”. Another closely related English concept evokes the metaphor “grit”.

That’s what we need right now: GRIT. GUTS. DETERMINATION. COURAGE.

And don’t forget to breathe.

  · 

Democracy Lost. Hate, Racism, and Misogyny Won

Posted on by
2

Could this day be any more sad? What the hell happened?

This election was important. We needed Kamala Harris to win to save democracy. We showed up, we understood the assignment, and more importantly, we VOTED.

We were on the right side of humanity, morality, intelligence.

I had predicted a Harris landslide, and anticipated being able to right the wrong that was done to Hillary Clinton in 2016 and finally have an intelligent (female) president BUT it seems as if that disgusting orange POS has worked some black magic to win? tamper? with the voting process AGAIN. I will never refer to him as president — I didn’t last time, either.

What’s worse is WHY anyone could vote for a convicted felon, a horrible immoral, sociopathic narcissist.

It makes me so sad that, as sick and evil as that orange POS is, there are those who think he should be president, who laugh at his cruelty and support his insanity. What the hell is wrong with people like that?

I will never believe that he fairly won the election. This country is in for some dark days — in fact, the entire world and humankind will be in for a most difficult time.

I have a message for Kamala Harris. Don’t concede. Demand a recount and a thorough investigation. Did that evil Musk have something to do with this unexpected outcome? I think that needs to be scrutinized at the highest level. Something needs to be done.

This is an overview of Project 2025. It’s as horrific as it sounds. There is no light at the end of the tunnel. There is only darkness.

The Veil is Thinning 🎃

Posted on by
Reply

🎃 Happy Halloween! 🎃

Samhain/Halloween is the time when the veil between the spirit world and the earthly realm is at its thinnest and is the best time to communicate with the dead. You can literally feel the change in energy in the air. If you feel a presence behind you, it’s not your imagination…

No ballerina princess costume for me this year; this time I’m a witch. I’ll take a ride on my broom, conjure up a spell or two…and do all the witchy things, of course! 🧹

Vintage art curated from Pinterest

I’m a Baseball Newbie Just In Time For The World Series

Posted on by
4

From Ninjago to Pokemon to Minecraft and now it’s baseball that makes Angel Boy 2.0’s world go around.

He loves his home team, the Mariners, but is rooting for the Dodgers to win the World Series, mainly because of Shohei Othani. I learned (from AB) that the reason Ohtani is so special is because of his ability as a hitter AND as a pitcher, which is rare. Ohtani’s 2021–2024 seasons are considered among the greatest in baseball history, with some comparisons to the one and only Babe Ruth.

Oh, and T LOVES Babe Ruth, too.

“Grandma, did you know Babe Ruth?”

“Uh NO, I did not. That was a bit before my time, my darling.” Sheesh, how old does he think I am? His dad always seems to overhear these random conversations that occur between me and the kids, as evidenced by his snarky snickers in the other room.

Hand to heart, that child has now collected well over a thousand baseball cards. His sister’s job and my job as his assistants are to help him organize those cards. I love the educational aspect for both of the children, matching the teams and then placing everything in alphabetical order. He reads the stats out loud to us, which I find enchanting and endearing, and reminiscent of his dad at that age.

His dad collected sports cards too (also thousands of them) and I know I saved all of his well- cared-for binders, but I can’t remember where they are!

T is so excited about baseball that he created his very first PowerPoint presentation to share what he’s learned about the sport.

Because of his new-found interest, we watched a couple post season games. Where my son and I were rooting for the Padres, our home team, AB was all for the Dodgers. Of course, as usual, the Padres disappointed their fans. They’ve never won a World Series, so their losing record is intact.

In addition to collecting cards and wearing his favorite player’s jersey, AB started playing baseball. We were all outside in the garden taking turns pitching and hitting and I discovered a never before known talent of mine for hitting the ball nearly EVERY SINGLE TIME.

“Wait, Grandma, did you used to play baseball in school? Why are you so good at it?”

“No way, T. Actually, in school, they put me so far out in the outfield that there was never a chance to catch the ball, and when I was the hitter, I struck out 100% of the time. I don’t know why I’m playing so good now!”

“MOM DAD, watch Grandma!”

The look on my son’s face was pretty funny, I have to admit.

T was holding the bat awkwardly and weirdly, so I attempted to offer a pointer. Initially he refused my advice (just like his dad) and kept striking out. I suggested that he at least TRY my way one time to see if it helped. Lo and behold, it DID, and he got a home run. He experimented with his strange way again and struck out. After that, he had to admit that not only can his grandma consistently hit the ball, but I’m a good coach, too.

If only my high school PE teacher could see me now, lolz.

Many years ago, I was standing behind a table volunteering at a nonprofit event and a sort of nondescript man walked by and said “Hi”. I said “Hi” back to him as he continued down the sidewalk. Other volunteers crowded around me, “Do you know who that was?” I did not, and when they said it was Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres, I said, “Who’s that?” I thought it was cool, but I didn’t fangirl him like they obviously were doing.

Now it’s World Series time and I’m a total Dodgers fan. Does anyone know why there needs to be so many games to determine the winner? It’s a bit excessive, in my opinion.

GO DODGERS!

To Look With Wonder

Posted on by
Reply

That’s me, always searching the sky for stars and last night’s supermoon, the largest one of the year.

Yup, I’m one of those “Look up at the moon; it’s incredible!” kind of people. Did you see it, too?

October’s full moon didn’t keep me awake like so many others do; maybe the additional magnesium glycinate I’ve been taking in the evening is actually working, and I hope so, because those moon dreams I experience are INSANE.

Each second, I am one second closer to leaving this planet
And so, I will
look at everything always
with wonder,
as though I am
seeing it for either
the first or the last time.
And I will choose to live in such a way,
that if this were my last second, I could die in peace
for I am proud of who I am
and let my final second show
how I have grown
and who I have become. — Tahlia Hunter

Artist Credit : Lore Pemberton

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Posted on by
2

Today, October 14, 2024, is known as Columbus Day. Some states have proposed legislation to legally replace it with Indigenous Peoples’ Day, which is the only right action to take.

I don’t acknowledge Columbus Day because it’s more of the same; entitled males making unilateral decisions without regard for anything but their own selfishness.

Columbus Day has since come under fire as a celebration of a man whose arrival in the Americas heralded the oppression of another group of people: Native Americans. 

Indigenous Peoples’ Day honors the truth about the American soil on which we live. It serves as a counter-celebration to Columbus Day by recognizing the perseverance and contributions of Indigenous people across the United States.

Even the Angel Kids know what this day really is all about, and good for my son/DIL talking TRUTH to the next generation.

happy indigenous people day meme - - Yahoo Image Search Results

Happy New Year 5785!

Posted on by
2

The elephant in the room is what’s happening in Israel. October 7 will mark one year since the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas-led Palestinian militant groups in the Gaza Strip and Israel. It’s the fifth war of the Gaza–Israel conflict since 2008, and the most significant military engagement in the region since the Yom Kippur War in 1973. I don’t have an opinion to share because I think all the killing is terrible with horrendous collateral damage.

Now is the time for an end to war and hope for long lasting peace.

Happy New Year! Shana tovah!

Rosh Hashanah is one of Judaism’s holiest days. It’s also a powerful new moon, which enhances the overall spirituality of this holiday.

Meaning “head of the year” or “first of the year,” Rosh Hashanah — the Jewish new year — marks the creation of the world.

It also marks the beginning of the Jewish High Holy Days leading up to Yom Kippur, the Jewish day of atonement. 

As is the custom with all new years, it’s a time to reflect on the past and how we can improve in the future.

This is the time for apples and honey to represent a sweet new year, to be eaten with challah bread and pomegranate seeds.

L’Shanah Tovah Tikateivu
“May you be inscribed [in the Book of Life] for a good year.”

in a dream

Posted on by
2

I’ve been having strange dreams again. Apparently the 9/9 portal might be the culprit, or maybe it’s a result of this oppressive heat wave in Southern California, which seems as if it will never end.

The 9/9 Energy Portal is a sacred gateway of powerful energies that invites us to step into a time of profound spiritual growth, completion, and transformation. As the energies of the cosmos align, this portal opens the door to new beginnings, urging us to reflect, release, and renew our inner selves. angelladycrystalsboutique.com

In numerology, the number 9 is the symbol of completion, wisdom, and spiritual enlightenment.

These two dreams were the most intense:

I was waiting in the cell phone lot at the airport for a friend’s arrival when I got a notification that their flight was abruptly diverted to India. It made no sense, but that’s all I remember, except for feeling distraught because there was nothing I could do. Southern California diverted to India? Not to LA or Orange County, but halfway around the world? How odd is that? How random…and I can’t explain how inconsolable and dejected I felt as I had to drive home alone.

In the other dream, it started out OK, because, as I often do in real life, I ran up the steps to the top of my garden at dusk to look for coyotes. (That’s how I actually broke my wrist once upon a time.) However, in the dream, my backyard morphed into a recurring dream location that’s a mountainous hiking trail with a steep ridge. Crazy, but I often dream of this place which is more like Joshua Tree than anywhere else I can recall.

When I got to the top (no coyotes this time) and looked down, I thought I was following the garden trail back home, but the backyard no longer existed as I was now in that recurring dream place.

The sun disappeared completely into a dark and moonless night. It was cold and I realized that I was frightfully lost. I couldn’t find my way home. I started down one wrong trail after another, but there wasn’t any path that took me to a familiar place and my head was spinning with panic.

Still dreaming, I figured the best solution would be to simply stop aimlessly wandering and wait for the morning light as I was becoming more and more agitated. I wanted to go HOME.

That’s when I woke up. It was unsettling to feel so disoriented. I have no idea what it all means, but I thought of that Steve Winwood song, Cant Find My Way Home. I like this acoustic version:

Whose Fault IS It?

Posted on by
Reply

This has been around for a while, but it was a recent discovery for me.
It hits hard, doesn’t it?

Graphic created by Enchanted Seashells

Sisters, ARISE… I Understand The Assignment

Posted on by
1

Let’s do it this time; let’s get the job done and elect President Kamala Harris!

When Hillary Clinton ran for president, I was really excited. I posted signs, I made phone calls, I participated in governance.

I thought she won. We ALL thought she won. She SHOULD have, but…

There’s a lot to unpack and delve into about why and how she didn’t become president because she absolutely won the popular vote. I truly believe the vote was interfered with.

According to TIme magazine, When Russia set out to interfere with the 2016 election, it went all out.

“Over the course of the election, a wide-ranging group of Russians probed state voter databases for insecurities; hacked the Hillary Clinton campaign, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee and the Democratic National Committee; spread propaganda on Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram; staged rallies in Florida and Pennsylvania; set up meetings with members of the Trump campaign and its associates; and floated a business proposition for a skyscraper in Moscow to the Trump Organization. The goal, as determined by the U.S. intelligence community and backed up by evidence was to damage the Clinton campaign, boost Trump’s chances, and sow distrust in American democracy overall.”

I remember first being overjoyed, then confused, and finally, majorly depressed as, with class and dignity, Hillary conceded.

Since President Biden has chosen not to seek another term and has endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris as the BEST and ONLY Democratic party nominee, we are BEYOND EXCITED!

From Kamala’s speech: “You exist in the context of all in which you live and what came before you. Part of the extension of the work you will do is, yes, focused on our young leaders and our young people, but understanding we also then have to be clear about the needs of their parents and their grandparents and their teachers and their communities, because none of us just live in a silo. Everything is in context.”

With future President Kamala Harris, we have another chance. I hope you understand the assignment, too.

It’s too important to NOT vote. We need to save democracy and save our reproductive rights and save this country from the horrors of Project 2025 or another four years of that insane orange turd and his disgusting MAGA cult, the cult of derangement.