post #438
I am being hammered by reality. I won't get a blog done today, for two reasons. First, I am away from home, headed to a week long conference, and in addition I am giving someone a ride there, from where I am as I write this (St. Louis) to Iowa, about a 6 hour drive. Second, I had to upgrade my cell phone before even leaving Kentucky, and it is not yet totally set up, and I should be dealing with that before I get to be creative with a post. It would be fairest for anyone who checks my blog this week to say that I won't do another post this week, but I will for sure next Sunday. There are stories. There are photos. There is our world to celebrate and care for. And there are times for taking realities into consideration.
I thank all my readers/viewers for sharing my various enthusiasms over these seven years, and counting.
Sunday, June 30, 2019
Sunday, June 23, 2019
the wider world
post # 437
It has been weeks since I've said much about the world outside the downstairs of my house or the physical therapy location. However, while I have been busy healing from a small break in my left foot, I've not stopped being concerned about all that is evolving in the public arena. Being preoccupied is not an excuse for accepting the current chaos threatening our perceptions of what is normal. I stay somewhere between brooding and distress. I do know that history will not be kind to non-action at a time like this.
I have not accepted that anyone could deny that we are facing global consequences for what is happening with the world's climate. To not even encourage all the research possible about what could happen is folly. What has become of our backbones, to our brains, or to our souls to not take on this challenge. I live in coal country, and yet even programs that take on how we could do better don't even get a chance of support in the current government. I grieve for what we are ignoring despite our children and grandchildren whom we all supposedly love and care for.
In addition, I have absolutely no way to understand the separation of families at our southern border. Those young children are paying a huge price for the inability of grownups to communicate and do the work of compromise with compassion. It is seriously evil that records aren't even being kept about where the kids end up and whom their parents are. If nothing else, this is again cruel behavior by so-called adults bent on bullying and domination, and, might I add, greed.
Of course I like many others am appalled by the constant lies from the president, and others, and his constant need for attention. He seems willing to keep up constant chaos in order to feel that his life has meaning. I have met other people who also have this disorder, but they are not in a position to inflict so many people. For example, there is no way the discussion of how many people would be injured this week by some retaliation by our military wouldn't have --- early on ---- discussed how many people could be killed by it. Yet T. would have us believe that he did a generous thing by calling it off at the last moment. If it were true that he was not told, he should have fired all the members advising him for their incompetence, but instead he prefers to throw them under the bus so he can "look good."
I know that I have had more time than usual to stew on this stuff, so thanks for reading this far -- I've said nothing for weeks, and now this. So, before sharing the two photos at the end of this post, here is a shout-out to other people who have had the "no weight bearing allowed" experience like I have had. And also here are some stories.
It seems there are friends and family who had it and didn't complain loud enough at the time for me to hear them clearly, like my son, his son (age 8!), my college friend (Liz), my Martha's Vineyard friend (Patty), a local friend (Ginny), the manager of the Rowan County Arts Center (Ashley), my niece, and more. Patty had 8 months of not bearing weight, Ashley was a teenager who chose not to follow advice well so she went swimming with her boot, etc. (She now admits that was a very bad idea.) My niece has two small children and a demanding full time job but also family support.
I've been hearing additional stories, usually from strangers of all ages who simply saw my boot and shared about how hard it had been for them. I know I got off easy, but by now I really know it. I could drive! I have insurance! I had help from family and neighbors and friends! I had many fewer obligations than I did when I was younger! And so forth. (BTW, I no longer have my boot, which I call my very own story starter.)
I do want to share two photos today, because they are light-hearted and fun. Humor is essential, no matter our circumstances.
First, I've known this sweet rescue donkey for many years, but somehow I didn't pay attention to his name, until yesterday. (By the way, these photos have NO political meaning, honest.) Say the name aloud to figure it out:
Then, second, as a companion photo, there's this friendly moment during a walk that I once took in Alsace, France, with the youngest daughter of the French family I had lived with for a year in high school as an exchange student:
with kisses and brays to you all -- Ann
It has been weeks since I've said much about the world outside the downstairs of my house or the physical therapy location. However, while I have been busy healing from a small break in my left foot, I've not stopped being concerned about all that is evolving in the public arena. Being preoccupied is not an excuse for accepting the current chaos threatening our perceptions of what is normal. I stay somewhere between brooding and distress. I do know that history will not be kind to non-action at a time like this.
I have not accepted that anyone could deny that we are facing global consequences for what is happening with the world's climate. To not even encourage all the research possible about what could happen is folly. What has become of our backbones, to our brains, or to our souls to not take on this challenge. I live in coal country, and yet even programs that take on how we could do better don't even get a chance of support in the current government. I grieve for what we are ignoring despite our children and grandchildren whom we all supposedly love and care for.
In addition, I have absolutely no way to understand the separation of families at our southern border. Those young children are paying a huge price for the inability of grownups to communicate and do the work of compromise with compassion. It is seriously evil that records aren't even being kept about where the kids end up and whom their parents are. If nothing else, this is again cruel behavior by so-called adults bent on bullying and domination, and, might I add, greed.
Of course I like many others am appalled by the constant lies from the president, and others, and his constant need for attention. He seems willing to keep up constant chaos in order to feel that his life has meaning. I have met other people who also have this disorder, but they are not in a position to inflict so many people. For example, there is no way the discussion of how many people would be injured this week by some retaliation by our military wouldn't have --- early on ---- discussed how many people could be killed by it. Yet T. would have us believe that he did a generous thing by calling it off at the last moment. If it were true that he was not told, he should have fired all the members advising him for their incompetence, but instead he prefers to throw them under the bus so he can "look good."
I know that I have had more time than usual to stew on this stuff, so thanks for reading this far -- I've said nothing for weeks, and now this. So, before sharing the two photos at the end of this post, here is a shout-out to other people who have had the "no weight bearing allowed" experience like I have had. And also here are some stories.
It seems there are friends and family who had it and didn't complain loud enough at the time for me to hear them clearly, like my son, his son (age 8!), my college friend (Liz), my Martha's Vineyard friend (Patty), a local friend (Ginny), the manager of the Rowan County Arts Center (Ashley), my niece, and more. Patty had 8 months of not bearing weight, Ashley was a teenager who chose not to follow advice well so she went swimming with her boot, etc. (She now admits that was a very bad idea.) My niece has two small children and a demanding full time job but also family support.
I've been hearing additional stories, usually from strangers of all ages who simply saw my boot and shared about how hard it had been for them. I know I got off easy, but by now I really know it. I could drive! I have insurance! I had help from family and neighbors and friends! I had many fewer obligations than I did when I was younger! And so forth. (BTW, I no longer have my boot, which I call my very own story starter.)
I do want to share two photos today, because they are light-hearted and fun. Humor is essential, no matter our circumstances.
First, I've known this sweet rescue donkey for many years, but somehow I didn't pay attention to his name, until yesterday. (By the way, these photos have NO political meaning, honest.) Say the name aloud to figure it out:
 |
| Meet DonKeyOatey! |
with kisses and brays to you all -- Ann
Monday, June 17, 2019
June flowers and falls
post #436
The news is that I've taken up walking again, because my foot is better! I even took my camera out for a kind of spin in the last few days. I am very rusty with it! Even so I want to share here some of my restart moments. They include a drive to southeast Kentucky, with time at friend's farm there and at the amazing nearby Cumberland Falls.
The next two photos show the blooming mountain magnolia -- It was amazing to learn about this beautiful and elusive bush. Or is it a tree? I made these photos without a tripod or much time. But you get the idea.
flowers in the garden surrounding the house belonging to the Farm House Inn:
Later we went to Cumberland Falls State Park. These are the falls that boast a moonbow every month when the moon is full. Of course the weather has to provide a clear sky at the same time -- always a fascinating place despite my not being able this time to do the walking to the bottom of the falls.
A GOOD TIME WAS HAD BY ALL.
A FOOT NOTE, so to speak.... For a week or so in May I was able to enjoy my purple toes inside, and the purple wisteria just outside the closest window. I had fun imagining some kind of cosmic connection. My purple pain is now over (YEA,) as is the wisteria (BOO.)
Next week: the cohosh story
The news is that I've taken up walking again, because my foot is better! I even took my camera out for a kind of spin in the last few days. I am very rusty with it! Even so I want to share here some of my restart moments. They include a drive to southeast Kentucky, with time at friend's farm there and at the amazing nearby Cumberland Falls.
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| This ATV took us through the woods -- since I still am being careful in my walking. |
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| We were stopped so that the others could walk to this waterfall, but I couldn't join them yet. photo by Beth Ducot |
The next two photos show the blooming mountain magnolia -- It was amazing to learn about this beautiful and elusive bush. Or is it a tree? I made these photos without a tripod or much time. But you get the idea.
 |
| a lovely daisy in a field of grasses and flowers, designed to nurture butterflies and birds |
flowers in the garden surrounding the house belonging to the Farm House Inn:
 |
| looking out through the upstairs screen, framed by the chimney |
Later we went to Cumberland Falls State Park. These are the falls that boast a moonbow every month when the moon is full. Of course the weather has to provide a clear sky at the same time -- always a fascinating place despite my not being able this time to do the walking to the bottom of the falls.
 |
| photo by Beth Ducot, from below the falls |
 |
A FOOT NOTE, so to speak.... For a week or so in May I was able to enjoy my purple toes inside, and the purple wisteria just outside the closest window. I had fun imagining some kind of cosmic connection. My purple pain is now over (YEA,) as is the wisteria (BOO.)
Next week: the cohosh story
Sunday, June 9, 2019
fun family photos, not in any order -- last people post of 4, for now
post #435
In advance, please forgive me. I may make it appear today that I have multiple grandchildren. Not so! These are kids, and other family members, at different times, not always directly related and not in chronological order. Some photos have already appeared on the blog as part of some other story. I never use names, out of privacy concerns, so just take each photo for what it is, by itself. For me, it's simply a gift to have all these images to share, each one with its own story. Remember to click on one to get the line-up in a larger size along the bottom of the screen.
There are many more extended family photos, here and there, within these 8 years of weekly blog posts -- so a special thank you to all for their patience over so many years!
In advance, please forgive me. I may make it appear today that I have multiple grandchildren. Not so! These are kids, and other family members, at different times, not always directly related and not in chronological order. Some photos have already appeared on the blog as part of some other story. I never use names, out of privacy concerns, so just take each photo for what it is, by itself. For me, it's simply a gift to have all these images to share, each one with its own story. Remember to click on one to get the line-up in a larger size along the bottom of the screen.
 |
| looking up to joke-telling Dad |
There are many more extended family photos, here and there, within these 8 years of weekly blog posts -- so a special thank you to all for their patience over so many years!
Sunday, June 2, 2019
people with patience, from far and near places
post #434
Here we go, random places, good people everywhere, within the past 5 years. Each photo has a story, but I'm not telling them at this point. Just giving hints, and thanks for the many kindnesses I have experienced. (I decided I would do the family photos next week.)
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| A close Japanese friend married a Frenchman, and he has a dog...We've gone to the outdoor market, in Rennes! |
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| Liz, her home, and the redwood experience, uh, closeness in, yes, California. |
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| a major effort at the closing of a Memorial Service reception -- so generous |
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| Ah, in the same room, a few years earlier, the fascination with the ceiling fan! |
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| spring glory in Massachusetts (Are you surprised to see this here, M.?) |
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| Our art show volunteer receptionist, looking so alluring in purple, |
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| and her grandson and his wife. They may tease me about including this photo... |
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| still more members of that family, in January 2019 |
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| Another family unit - grandfather, musician Steve Lyon, and granddaughter, with the amazing eyes, |
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| and her grandmother, writer George Ella Lyon with her longtime friend, writer Gurney Norman, at the Appalachian Writers Conference in Hindman, KY . I've taken many photos of George Ella, and I really like this one, which was not planned. Just happened.. |
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| I really like this photo as well, in England. I'm having tea with two of the nicest people I can imagine. |
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| This photo was a quick reflex on my part, and it's always fun when that works out. This man is also very nice. He lives and works in Costa RIca. |
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| I'm sneaking this photo in -- this is myself, when I first came to the area where I now live, in the late 60s. I believe my sister, Robin Wilkerson, took this photo. When else will I have an excuse on this blog to include this moment in time? |
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