Like many Americans, I can’t breathe. I’m having trouble sleeping. I can’t write. I can’t paint. And, now that icy storms are moving into Northern California, I’ve put my gardening tools into the shed.

I remember when Turnip was first elected. My cousin was visiting from a small town in Massachusetts and he said “My friends back home will be so happy!” I didn’t know what to say. I knew the friends he was talking about. They owned a small farm outside of town where they made maple syrup and boarded horses. A lovely place that had been in the family for at least a century. The man had suffered from substance abuse for decades before getting sober and, in turn he’d become my cousin’s sponsor. Recovering addicts have a close bond with their sponsors and so I didn’t ask my cousin who he’d voted for.

My cousin has turned his life around and was recently voted Citizen of the Year in his small town. But he likes to do things he thinks I disapprove of … like ATVing through the backwoods of New Hampshire. To his circle of friends, college educated folks who held white collar jobs (like me) look down upon riding anything faster than a golf cart. I let it wash over me. Once someone has that “us versus them” mentality baked into them, there’s not much you can do or say. However, this time I’m fairly confident he’s voting blue. He’s done enough community service that he knows what’s at risk.

In honor of Halloween which is generally my favorite holiday, a blast from the past. The scariest place I’ve ever visited; Renwick Ruin, Roosevelt Island, New York City. By the way, a friend just told me that Conclave is a really good movie so if, like me, you can’t breathe, check it out.

I think a lot of us are holding our breath. It’s going to be a long few days…
Hopefully just a few long days! I am focusing on Arlington Cemetery – all those young men who died so this country wouldn’t fall to a thug.
One can hope.
I’ve heard they’re Red or Dead, though.
Or that they will move to another country where they’ll find out what it’s like to be a refugee!
Trump is vile. Go blue!
It’s not just him I’m afraid.
Right — his supporters are backwards, dangerous people.
Dear Henny Penny,
Trump is going to lose in a landslide. Now maybe that will be a landslide in my backyard, but still a landslide. As Michael Moore askes, do you know any women? If the answer is yes, than there is a tsunami coming. Of course, it is 3:00 a.m. here and I can’t sleep, but for a different reason. It is my aching back and as I like to say, pride goeth after the fall, not before. I like things backwards. Duke
Well, you were right in 2016. Still I am so frozen. Hope your back is better – sometimes just getting the blood flowing. My left foot is finally getting back to pink but that leg at about 4 am has spastic fits if I don’t stand.
This morning the news says Harris is breaking. She might win all the battlegrounds. That would constitute a landslide. Trump is putting out the steal lie as we speak. The real show will be from Nov.5 to Jan. 6, but this time the forces of good will be totally prepared to met the forces of darkness. Love. Duke
That is true. We know what to expect. I feel slightly more hopeful – thanks Duke. Much love.
I’m breathing okay but am having nightmares. It’s either the time of year, the thinning of the veil as they say, or it’s the uncertainty of the election. Either way, I’m stressed.
Generally I sleep well this time of year (my inner ghoul) our weather has been wonderful – we’ve got rain and snow in the mountains which brings relief from fire season … but we’ve got the election…
I saw Conclave. Interesting. Sad times.
Did you like Conclave?
Not really. Dark cinematography isn’t my thing. I liked the intrigue, but found it highly predictable and a bit cliche.
My friend is a theologian which is probably why he enjoyed the intrigue!
I hope your friend Duke is right about the election! My husband is saying the same thing, though he’s not convinced it will be a BIG win. I’m just scared but hopeful. I mean, Biden won in 2020, right? So obviously it CAN be done. I’m sleeping pretty well, I love the cooler weather, which means I can sleep with my window closed, which means it is quieter. ❤ I try not to think about the election as much as I can. I’ve volunteered and I’ve voted, so now we just have to wait. And hope.
I worry that the damage he (and others) have done can’t be undone no matter what happens. But at least hopefully we’ll have sensible people at the top.
I feel you. Seems like the whole world is gasping for air…
Ooh, I haven’t seen that movie yet–I might check it out.
If it’s any consolation, many, many people are very concerned, the world over. 🤞🏻
The whole world is watching … and waiting.
And now we know. Are you surprised? He was able to run for office despite everything. We always lived in this America.
It is a complete failure of the justice system. No, I wasn’t that surprised. Saddened for what’s to come.