Dear friends,
I need to take a break for a couple of days. I’m too overwhelmed to write a coherent post and I’m just plain exhausted.
I do have serious doubts about the legitimacy of this election. The numbers do not add up. I’ve been reading a lot about that and I am definitely not the only person who feels this way. Something is off.
But this morning, I just feel wiped out. So does Don.
I had to block another reader the other day and I suspect that will happen again. There is no welcome mat out for anyone who supports him.
Even in my little Blythe world, I’ve been shocked to learn that some doll lovers support him. They’ve been unfollowed.
It’s a moral issue.
I’m going to try to get back to We Solve Murders again.
Feel free to share your thoughts here. You know that I will always keep this space safe. And even though I’m taking a break today and tomorrow, I will answer comments.
Love to you all.
Richard Osmun is good medicine for these times. He, Louise Penny and another author I didn’t know did NPR’s 1-A show last week on mystery writing, their characters and all. It’s a good listen and a break for all things political. Most of the bloggers I read are either like-minded or at least on blog, apolitical. But one — her posts really distress me. While she is a creative and I have enjoyed following those posts, I think I need to give her a rest, maybe for always. I wouldn’t mind her having an opinion but I can tell that it is based on misinformation, “fake news” from the Trump camp. I can’t go there right now. So, I’ll just keep doing my posts about England (and wish that I’d stayed! They aren’t without their problems but at least their leader is sane.)
I wish we could move to Canada, where my mom was born. Well, we could, but it would be too difficult to do that now.
Hang in there, Jeanie.
Dear Claudia, thank you for your comments. I, too, feel something is off.
I’m glad for you and your kind group. I’m sitting on a little Lisbon patio drinking wine and reading. So glad for another couple weeks away from home to slowly put thoughts in order. My husband and I need quiet time now too. You said it….a moral issue. I’m privileged to be here with quiet time to think and have time away from the friends I may be distancing myself from upon returning because of that moral problem. Take care of yourself….read, watch birds, walk your beautiful yard and hug that Don! Verna
Thank you, Verna. I have had to distance myself from some friends/acquaintances who support him. I cannot have them in my life.
Hang in there, Verna.
Yes, I find myself …..withdrawing, maybe? I really don’t want to grow a shell, however, so I will be keeping a watchful eye out for anything along those lines. Best wishes.
And also yes, it is shocking to discover some acquaintance (on line or what ever) is so lacking in sense or decency….again, time for me to withdraw.
Ceci
Time to withdraw, Ceci. Protect yourself.
Hang in there.
Take care of yourself, Claudia. I’ve was numb at first and now so many feelings of despair, sadness and anger. So worried for our marginalized citizens and my own daughters. Trying to limit my news intake and talk with my husband and friends. I appreciate that this is a safe space.
It is, Rachel. And I will keep it that way.
Hang in there.
That’s exactly what I felt, too, Claudia, something is off. Notice Trump is no longer saying the election is rigged? Well, maybe it was??? I understand you needing to take a break and keeping your blog free of Trumpeters. We’ll miss you but we completely understand. Take care of each other. Hugs, Elaine
I’ll most likely be back on Monday, Elaine.
Hang in there.
you will be missed, but i’m glad you are doing what you need to do for your own sake, that you take all the time you need and do what’s best for you. i hope don and everyone else does, too.
will be here whenever you get back.
sending hugs out and prayers up for all.
kathy
Hugs and prayers for all of us and for our country.
Hang in there, Kathy.
We have lived through many awful presidents, Claudia, and we will figure out how to live through this disgusting one. Take a break, take a walk, enjoy the beautiful nature around you. We will see you again when you have rested and feel ready. Take care and stay safe!
Ellen
We’ve never lived through one like Trump. You could gather all of the other awful presidents together and they still wouldn’t come close to his depravity.
Hang in there, Ellen.
You are appreciated!
Thank you so much, Mary Ellen.
Hang in there.
It’s just horrible. I can’t even wrap my head around how so many people could care less about so many issues. My dad used to listen to talk shows of opposing political views and I remember him saying that the Republicans were just not very nice people. I am happy he is not here to see this. I don’t understand so called “Christians” . I am pretty certain Jesus would be disappointed in the results also. I try not to be so vocal but I am crushed.
Your dad, my dear Uncle, was right. I’m so happy my dad isn’t here to see this either. He enlisted in WWII to fight facism. He would be devastated by this.
Be as vocal as you want, Eileen. You can speak freely here, dear cousin.
Love you.
I continue to feel so sad and shocked/horrified. These events are the first thing I think of in the morning and last at night.. Pretty much all day.
I let my membership to the ACLU expire but I am renewing it as soon as possible. I don’t know what else to do.
Take Care,
Kaye
I am going to renew my membership, too. I’ve been getting emails from them since the election and we have to support them.
Hang in there, Kaye.
Claudia, I feel the same as you…and taking some space is a smart thing to do. Your photo actually gives me some metaphorical hope…it does appear dark and shady, but there’s a sunny path in the middle of it. Things aren’t going to be so easy, but I have to believe we will all get though this. I’m going to do some reading, too, but I find I’m wandering off more than usual. Take care.
Yes, I am too. It’s hard to concentrate, isn’t it?
Hang in there, Barrie.
I don’t know if I trust the election results either. I’m sure there will be no way to prove it though.
I am exhausted too. I went to bed early last night. The sun is shining this morning and life goes on. I am going to focus on family and the holidays for the next couple months. Then we will need to buckle up…things are going to get rough.
Take care
Yes, at least let us have Christmas, right?
Hang in there, Marilyn.
I understand you taking a break but will miss your post tomorrow. I too have had to break ties, even from some family members (if only temporarily). My entire family are Republicans who voted for that awful man. Perhaps in four years, if we still live in a democracy, we can try again. Take Care, Jan
Thank you, Jan.
Hang in there.
After reading how devastated you and your followers are why would anyone comment their support for him. People are so insensitive! I’ve been thinking and praying for peace for you Claudia.
It will all be fine. I promise.
In my experience, MAGAts have no sensitivity. You wouldn’t believe the comments I have had – not only disagreeing with me, but attacking me and my husband. They’re classless and cruel.
Hang in there, Darlene.
I feel that there is something hinky about the election…the numbers don’t add up. I’m hopeful that sharper minds than mine are looking into that.
Take all the time you need. This has been an extreme shock to my system…to my whole family as well. So it’s time for my husband and I to batten down the hatches in preparation for what I hope will not come.
Keep reading….i’m trying to find diversions, and talking to friends. Friends who share the same morals as I do. So important these days. ;)
Very important, Donnamae.
Hang in there.
I’m so sorry for what has happened in your country. I just don’t understand and I immediately thought it doesn’t all add up. I would love to think that someone, somewhere would check that all is in order but I am fearful that it won’t happen. It is a terrifying time for you all and the rest of the world too.
Taking a break is a wise move. I’ve stopped watching and reading the news, it’s all too much. Be kind to yourself and enjoy your beautiful home and lovely husband. Take care.
Thank you, Fiona.
Much love.
I’m telling myself that because of all the types of media that is flowing around the world we know much more than in the past. Nixon comes to mind.
I know that many of my friends voted for someone I consider to be evil. They think about their pockets but of course would deny that. I’ve known and loved them for years and we agree to disagree . My fear now is more about Musk and Vance. I think that Musk may be the most awful human being ever and Vance is a follower of whoever will put him in the spotlight. T is clearly losing his mind, he is old and physically declining. Why the media didn’t focus on that is beyond me. They are all frightened of him! The fact that the family photo includes Musk and not the money grubbing wife, M, was not in the photo is pretty terrifying! I don’t understand why the polls were saying the percentage of women for K was so high and then it wasn’t….
Vance is backed by Peter Thiel, a billionaire from South Africa who is far-right. And the Heritage Foundation, of course. It doesn’t bode well.
Hang in there.
I agree with you on the something just doesn’t “feel” right with the numbers… My husband & I are at a loss. Is this real or a bad nightmare?
We’re immersing ourselves in Britbox & PBS Masterpiece Theater and reading. We stopped watching mainstream US television back in early 2020.
Let’s all lean on each other during this awful time. Those awful evil organisms will NOT take me down. Nope. No way….
Sending you & everyone positive thoughts.
Luanne
I agree – this can be a spot on the internet where we can find strength through each other.
Hang in there, Luanne.
I am still in shock, Claudia. I can’t believe you will have another four years with him. My thoughts are for all of you.
Marion
I’m scared, I’m not going to lie.
Hang in there, Marion.
I feel you. Our family is just devastated. We are grieving and feel the same, something is off. I have deleted folks and sites who are pro “him”. There is no reason if you ask me to vote for him. He is despicable. Not my president.
Not my president, either, Kit.
Hang in there.
Take all the time you need. I feel like I will not be able to endure the next four years. I can’t believe this country had a choice between a highly qualified woman and a felonious, sexual abusing, insurrection-inciting monster and they chose the monster. So disappointed in my country and I am not interested in trying to “understand” his voters.
I don’t owe any ‘understanding’ to those ignorant fools.
I’m ashamed of my country.
Hang in there, Terri.
I think about Shay Moss and Ruby Freeman almost every day and how their lives were turned around because of the rhetoric of trump and his buddies .No settlement makes it okay. I think about all the police officers who protected our legislators on Jan 6 who will never be made whole. I think about Nancy Pelosi’s husband who was nearly killed and is still suffering consequences of trump’s mouth and will never have trump explain that they lied about what happened that night to try to ruin his reputation. There are countless others who have suffered and some who have died because of this man. I don’t understand how anyone with any amount of decency could have voted for him.
I don’t either. I truly can’t imagine how they can support him.
Hang in there, Beverly.
I read the Post and Times online and no longer watch any tv news. Not sure how long I’m going to keep the Post after I read Bezos called and congratulated the orange catastrophe. I unfollowed so many accounts on IG that I tracked related to the election. I’m feeling a bit better divorcing myself from that whole world. This is the first I’ve heard there are doubts about the actual election. Wow.
Take care of yourself.
Kay
We are feeling the same way – hunkering down. I stopped reading the NY Times a few years ago. They sane-washed Trump. Owned by a conservative billionaire. And I also stopped reading the Post.
xo
Every woman I’m close to has been physically ill and extremely tired. I completely understand…. Rest if you can. I found myself watching the wrens eating seed heads yesterday with a strong knowing that I need to focus on the simple joys for the next while.
Hugs from White Rock, BC
Nadine
Absolutely.
xo
It’s comforting to read comments from like minded women. Fortunately most of my friends feel the same. I will be checking back as things get underway. I’m happy my marginalized daughter was born in Toronto and has dual citizenship.
Good for her, Petie.
xo
Though I’m not in the U.S., I have a lot of bloggers and IGer’s that I follow and was quite disheartened how many I’ve had to unfollow. I had no idea as the posts up until the election never gave any indication and then all of a sudden, boom! There it was. One reader wrote to me and asked why and when I explained, she had a lot to say! She’s now blocked.
So sad for your country ….
X Chy
Oh, Chy. I’m sorry. I have blocked so many people. And Maga people are mean and vicious. I just block now, without giving it any thought.
xo
Claudia, I feel as you do. Honestly, I feel ashamed that our countrymen can even consider electing someone as pompous, arrogant, and criminal to be the leader of our country. I just don’t understand how he got elected this time! He has no integrity. He and the wealthy of this nation have nothing to worry about, but people like myself and husband who are retired, living on S.S. and still have a mortgage will be the ones to suffer. We are very worried about our future and that of our children and their families. Four more years! God Bless us and help us. Take care and find joy in the things you love, like I am. Go outdoors, read, create. We will survive this because WE are strong.
We are in the same boat as you, Penny.
Hunkering down here at the cottage.
xo
I am looking for a safe haven. Please, rest up and get back to us soon. Those who voted for trump were too dumb to keep this Democracy. This level of stupid can never be undone.
Maria Dalessio
Utterly stupid and ignorant, Maria.
xo
I woke up in shock! Who voted for this man?!
We are going to have to say a lot of prayers.
Take care of yourself.
Lots and lots of prayers, Deb.
Stay safe.