Puzzle progress (taken on a cloudy day, soon to be rainy.)
We spent the evening watching the news once again. We’ll take a break from that tonight because neither of us sleep well afterwards. But we wanted to know just what was happening. And now we do.
Not that I have to explain myself, but I will. At this point in time, after 5 years of daily lies, misdeeds, making money off the presidency, grifting, cheating, applauding the actions of dictators and fascists, defending white nationalists, locking up children in cages at the border, separating families, most of whom will never find their children again, calling Mexicans names, taking money and benefits away from the poor and middle class and giving them to the wealthy, eliminating anyone from his cabinet and staff with the integrity to challenge him, eliminating agencies – among them the one that was sorely needed during this virus, lying about everything including his failure to do anything about the coronavirus until it was too late, denigrating women, giving cabinet posts to those who are unqualified, the Central Park Five, accusing President Obama of being born in Kenya, calling people names, inciting violence repeatedly, taking our country to the lowest point possible with his actions, discriminating against blacks when he and his father owned apartments in NYC, defending his buddy Jeffrey Epstein, spewing bile each and every day on Twitter….I could go on and on, this is just off the top of my head…
At this point, after all we know, after all we knew in the beginning of this endless assault on everything we hold dear, including the Constitution, after the complicity of the GOP: if someone is defending this administration and the actions of this vile and despicable racist, abuser of women who has been accused of rape at least three times, malignant narcissist, serial liar and carnival barker who has failed at everything in his life – my response is ‘Goodbye.’ If someone is repeating blurbs and phrases from Fox News or Rush Limbaugh or information from questionable web sites without doing a modicum of research, goodbye. I have no patience or tolerance for any of it anymore.
Yes, we should love our fellow man. But that doesn’t mean I have to hang out with everyone, especially those who espouse beliefs that I find abhorrent.
I say all of this because I had to ask someone to leave the blog yesterday because of a comment that was made. I had to deal with a lot of that in 2016 and I tried to be tolerant until I could no longer do so. The things some people were posting made my skin crawl. They were eventually blocked. I thought that was over, but it seems it is not.
This blog is my home. I’ve worked over 12 years to create it, to nurture it – every day. I would not invite someone into my cottage who had those views. This cottage is a place of peace. And my ‘home’ here on the Internet is, too.
I am not perfect, but I do know what is right and wrong. I was raised by parents who taught me well.
If it’s morally wrong, I don’t want it here. And yes, that decision is made by me, based on my deeply rooted beliefs. It’s my blog.
I apologize that I’m posting a bit late today. Don had to make a run to the store so I had to disinfect everything.
If only I could disinfect the White House as easily.
Stay safe.
Happy Wednesday.
I totally support your decision and the action you took. Your blog is not a public forum. As you say, it is your virtual home, and we are your guests. It is unfortunate ( and incredible) that any citizen, with any education, is not able to recognize or acknowledge the damage being done to our country by such an upfront greedy, lying sexist tax cheat.
It’s still unbelievable to me that anyone would support him. Thanks, Leslie. Stay safe!
Once again you have said all I have been thinking for years but in your eloquent style. November can t get here soon enough! Thanks for all you share as always. Stay safe.
.
You, too, Janet. Thank you for your kind words.
You need to watch Out of Shadows. You will LOVE it.
Why do I think I have? I’ll have to check on that. Stay safe, Ellen.
You have said it so well, Claudia. He has taken so much joy out of our lives and I have never hated anyone like this. It is a strong word but it is true. You go along swimmingly with your life when things feel fine. Then, when calamity strikes, you realize how much you’ve taken for granted. We must save and protect our nation. God help us. Vote.
Absolutely. It’s up to us. It’s clear that no one is going to help us. VOTE. Stay safe, Ginny.
I think you said it pretty well! Your home…your blog!
If only we could disinfect the White House. Sigh. Soon…I hope…Soon! ;)
It’s going to need industrial grade disinfecting, Donna. Stay safe.
I agree with your decision, Claudia. I also agree with your beliefs. Thanks for your blog (and good job on the lovely puzzle)!
Thank you, Ellen. Stay safe!
Bravo!
Thank you, Carolyn Marie. Stay safe!
High five to you!
Thank you, Cathy. Stay safe!
Right on Claudia!! xo
Thank you, April. Stay safe!
Your blog…no explanation needed. This is all stressful for seniors…the virus…now all of this…have a good good day, Claudia…in your cottage with your darling Don…your puzzles, books, and things you love…prayers prayers prayers for all.
Thank you, Brenda. Stay safe!
Hi, I enjoy reading your blog. Great piece today.
I have several old wooden and plastic dollhouse pieces of furniture. I would like to mail these pieces to you. Just let me know how. I can send pics if you would like to see the pieces.
How nice of you, Marcia. I have limited space so it would be helpful to see photos. That way I can see if there’s anything I can use. My email address is on the sidebar at the top of the page. It’s the envelope icon. Thank you. Stay safe!
Agree with you and the action you took wholeheartedly. DJT is simply evil.
He is. There is no other word for him. Well, there are other words, but I can’t write them here. Stay safe, Deborah, and thank you.
First of all, I can’t wait to see this puzzle when it’s finished. It’s beautiful. We need things of beauty right now – I take great comfort in the beauty in my gardens and planter boxes, in watching the baby bunnies and the swallows, even in hearing the coyotes partying at 3 AM in the meadow behind our house.
Thank you for the example of kicking hatred off of your blog!! I appreciate discussion of the issues, but not the hatred that many people feel they can spew in blog comments. Your blog is one of those things of beauty in my email inbox. You don’t sugar coat your feelings and thoughts, but you do provide a respite for me, and I appreciate that so much.
Stay safe and keep doing what you’re doing!
I do, too. Thank goodness for nature and animals and birds and gardens, Jayne.
Thank you so much for your support and kind words. They mean a great deal to me. Stay safe!
I’m late getting on here. but to open this post! I want to STAND UP AND CHEER!!!
you’ve said it all. we are dealing with a wannabe dictator.
at first his bumbling ways were unbelievable. now they are just scary in the extreme.
because his supposed stupidity is calculated and cruel and has laid our country out to ruin.
BUT… it’s not just him. it’s all of those who follow him and dote on every word he says.
and then go and do his bidding. THOSE are the ones who scare me. how can they not see?
the sheep followers! they are the dangerous ones. because they will always be there.
even after he’s out of office. heaven help us.
He is the definition of cruel, isn’t he? And those who follow seem to welcome that cruelty. I want NOTHING to do with them.
Thank you so much, Tammy. Stay safe!
You are the primary reason I like your blog…not your beautiful cottage or your wonderful relationship with Don or your gorgeous photography or your spectacular miniatures…YOU, the person you are, unfailingly traveling straight on the path you have chosen. Bravo, indeed.
This made me cry, Wendy. I cannot tell you how much your comment means to me. Thank you. And bless you.
Stay safe.
Very well said!
Thank you, Barbara. Stay safe!
Bonjour Claudia,
All the world is horrified and saddened to see what is happening in your country, a civilized, democratic country and it is hard to believe that this guy has been democratically elected. Surely, something went wrong during his election ?
Hoping best days for America.
Garde le moral et prends soin de toi et de Don.
Amitiés
Trump welcomed Russian interference in the election process and the election itself. Personally, I still believe votes were tampered with. Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by over 3 million votes. Think of what a different world this would be if she had won officially. Our system is a failure. The electoral college should be abolished. I mourn for all we lost when this election was stolen by Trump and all those who manipulated voters who didn’t know enough to check facts but instead, voted based on fear and ignorance. That’s my own opinion. Others might disagree.
Thank you, Helene. Stay safe, my friend.
Claudia thank y ok for making this a safe place. I am easily over these days and do not need one more thing to set me off. This was supposed to be such a wonderful year: my first ever trip to Europe, three grandchildren graduating from either high school or college, a new grandchild coming in October, etc. While there were still graduations there were no ceremonies to attend, the trip has been postponed indefinitely and there is constant sorry about the continued good health of mother and baby. Three grandchildren and one of their spouses are front line health care professionals whose lives are endangered by poor government response to the pandemic. We are all affected by the inept leadership in this country.
I am sorry I turned this into an angry diatribe. Your blog helps us all cope. Thank you again.
I’m so sorry that things haven’t worked out for you. I know how disheartening that is. And this isn’t an angry diatribe, Brenda. It’s simply you taking a moment to share your worries and sadness. We’re with you. Stay safe, my friend.
Sorry about all the typos!
Not to worry, Brenda! xo
I’m on your side! I’ve been disappointed by the underlying bias of many online comments (not here, happily). It’s that proverbial slippery slope attracting many who can’t think for themselves and judge too easily. We have a lot of work to do. We all must keep speaking out. LOUDLY!
Stay safe, stay healthy, stay sane.
Loudly and more loudly! Thank you, Roxie. Stay safe.
I stand with you, anytime anywhere. I am grateful for your thoughtful and cogent words.
Take Care and stay safe,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Bless you, Kaye. These comments are making me tear up. Thank you. Stay safe!
Hi Claudia, If you haven’t already, try to read Frank Bruni’s latest NYT column. He says it all very well.
I haven’t yet, but I’ll go there as soon as I finish answering comments. Thank you, Terri! Stay safe.
Thank you,Claudia, for your courage and clarity. I have been in tears for the past week and take comfort in knowing that my friends and family understand.I include you and your followers in my circle of friends.
Thank you so much, Annette. I so appreciate it. Stay safe.
You said it all today, Claudia! Good for you!! Hopefully, this will all be behind us soon, if 5 months is considered soon??!
Not nearly soon enough Priscilla! Thank you. Stay safe.
I believe that Voldemort will not be in office forever and we will survive him. ten years from now he will probably have severe alzheimer’s or dementia and be told what to do by some nurse. We will have a decent president and move back to democracy.
I have been surprised and delighted by the policemen who have put down their arms, locked arms with, taken a knee and stood beside the protestors. That is what we should concentrate on. I have been sewing or more correctly cutting out. I want a big stack of projects and then I will sew them. My version of your puzzles. Hope to everybody.
I think he’s already suffering from dementia. You can hear it in the way he forgets things, slur his words, shuffles when he walks.
I, too, have been so moved by those police members who have joined the protestors in support. It’s very heartening.
Stay safe, Jan.
Great post today, sad but so true in all you said. God Bless you and Don. Love your posts, always truthful and up to date.
Thank you for your support, Barbara. Stay safe!
Good for you, Claudia! This is your space, your rules.
BTW: I bought the same puzzle! Do you like it?
In fact, I bought four puzzles from Galaxy; I’m currently working on a 2,000 piece Rainbow design. It’s fun but taking me, a bit longer.
Keep on puzzling……….
Mahalo,
Deb
I love the puzzle. It’s really gorgeous! I’m going to order one more from them later today. Stay safe, Deborah.
I don’t blame you one bit. Not that there is anything to blame — that’s a bad word, nothing to blame, but probably the best my tired brain can come up with this afternoon. I would have done the same. I’ve done that with FB people. I’ve had enough on every level — especially the recent days, but really before. No, I don’t need that energy in my space any more than you do in yours.
I know what you mean about the news. I will watch some but have taken to my Acorn mysteries in the evening. And a few others. It’s better for my mental health. The road to November is already ugly. I can’t imagine how much more so it will get soon.
Well done on the puzzle. It looks like it could be a toughie but you’ve rocked through it. I just found one to order from Galaxy! Thanks for that link!
So well said about our current President. My heart hurts so much for our country and its people.
Mine too. Thank you, Joan. Stay safe!
I’m on the last panel of the puzzle now. It’s so gorgeous, it’s going to be hard to break down. Stay safe, Jeanie.
I’m with you! I cannot believe the number of people supporting him after what he did in DC to the peaceful protesters in order to have his photo op. People were defending him by saying that everyone was welcome at G-d’s house. Ha! Then why did he remove others so that he could stand in front of it with the Bible for pictures? Some of the others included clergy that were on the church’s patio. I don’t have any patience anymore for his supporters! Good riddance!
He was not welcome and the clergy made that clear. He didn’t even contact them ahead of time to let them know about it. He used the Bible as a political tool, echoing the same pose with Bible in hand made by Adolph Hitler. A message to his white supremacist base. Thank you. Stay safe.
Oh God; what you just wrote is chilling. I didn’t know Hitler had made the same pose. I’ve mostly been purposely ignorant for too much of my life about too much of what went down in WWII Europe; it’s shameful how I always tried to avoid many of the facts since high school when my teacher was fixated on the worst of the Nazis, and it caused me as a sensitive teen to have nightmares and sleepless months from the old black & white newsreels of the death camps he’d make us watch. It affected me forever. This was more than just helping every generation to never forget; this teacher was OTT.
But for Trump to use the church and the Bible as a prop for a photo-op; it made me furious after I parted the clouds of confusion (like what on earth was he doing … we’d watched that all go down in real time; just happened to have on the TV; couldn’t believe our eyes, initially bewildering and terrifying with protesters flushing out their eyes with bottles of water from what seemed to be tear gas; my husband and I both had our own tears running down our faces … you couldn’t help but think that people in the street could get killed, like how bad was this going to get, even the horses could be hurt in a melee, and then somebody somewhere on the newscasts was saying there could be a possibility that the Secret Service could unleash dogs on the crowd and all I could think of was that I didn’t want the dogs or the protesters to get hurt … like one retreating protester said to a cameraman filming for one of the news channels, “did you see this; we were doing nothing; NOTHING!” [to warrant the treatment; was a peaceful protest; no violence; allowed to assemble]). Trump walks to the church and did his stunt, I’m trying to process what’s going on, then felt so duped; like I’d been ‘had’; how dare he; but I’d already hated what he said in his ‘speech’ before he took the walk. Like nothing he does is ever sane or good, so why would I expect anything different.
Anyway, this is really beyond-horrifying, the similarities between him and any other cruel and inhuman despot, and that he’d employ copying them. Somebody is noting this beyond you, though, Claudia; somebody else has been a student of history and will call this out; it’s just scary how difficult it is to try to put any reins on Trump; there was the attempt to ‘convict’ after impeaching, right? To get him out of there, but it’s like iron-clad although I’m glad that he often touts absolute power he doesn’t actually have and the fact-checkers get right on it.
Oh yes, many have noted it. I’ve seen memes with the two photos side by side. Unless someone is lying, I think it’s true.
That was great and I needed to read that about now. Thanks!
You’re welcome, Janice. Stay safe!
I’ve just time for a note of caring. We are facing a potential surge in COVID19 with protesting occurring sans masks & close contact. When shouting, just as in singing, droplets are expelled with greater force & distance.
This is a time of great anger. Per Harvard studies merely recalling an episode of
extreme anger can cause a 6 hr. dip in the antibody immunoglobulin A. which is important to help ward off infections.
Please, for your own safety, make an effort in whatever means is effective in your personal environment to lower your degree of anger as a means of self protection.
I do not ask that anyone take my word on this subject but perhaps
listen to Johns Hopkins or Harvard or whatever superior medical research source you prefer.
Remember at the end of the chain is a frontline worker risking his / her life to save others.
This is not a political statement in any way. Even with clinics being looted medical workers
are not making anti-protesting statements.
Please stay safe.
Thank you, R. I am not taking part in a march. Too many people, too close together, and some without masks. I pray that this virus doesn’t escalate because of the marches, yet I understand the need to protest.
This is why I do puzzles, garden, read, and sing and laugh with my husband. I need to have some sort of peace.
Great advice for all. I so appreciate it. Stay safe, R. Are you feeling better? I know you were quarantined and I know everyone was concerned about you. Please update us when you can. xo
Amen! …and vote blue!
Thank you, Melissa. Stay safe.
Please everyone accept my 🙏🏻 That the far left and the far right quit hating and meet in the middle. Hate divides; Love conquers
We can all do and be better
I hope we come together as well, but I won’t put any money on it.
And just as an aside, I am not the far left. I am just a democrat who believes in doing the right thing. It shouldn’t be about party. But the GOP has made it that way, unfortunately.
Stay safe.
Oh, Claudia, good words. Great words. We all thank you for taking a stand. We never douted you would, but it is so sad that you had to do so. And my assumption is the Republicans stand with him. That is so disgusting. Obviously they believe that they were elected NOT to represent the people, but to do the idiot’s bidding til they (hopefully) go over the cliff with him. I wonder if they all wet their pants whenever he enters the room.
To Hélène (France) from above. Yes, it is obvious something went very wrong with that election. We now live in fear of the next election and how it will/ can be manipulated. I don’t know how we live through the next 5 months waiting to VOTE, which will seem like 5+ years.
Whatever they believe about what he’s done, no one is speaking up. So as far as I’m concerned, they all need to be voted out. Lemmings one and all.
Stay safe, Chris.
Amen, Claudia. You have a way of hitting the nail right on the head.
Thank you for your support, Karen. Stay safe!
I’m with you 1000% Claudia!!!
For the last three plus years, I’ve been biting my tongue to keep from striking back (trying to take the high road) at some of the awful comments I’ve read from Trump’s cult followers. I cannot begin to imagine how these people can support such a vile person. He is totally incapable of telling the truth and lacks any human decency whatsoever!! They are all drunk on his kool aid and just blindly follow this wannabe dictator. What will it take to get them to open their eyes???
ALL of us must vote him out in November!!!! And November can’t get here soon enough!!!
We have to turn out in staggering numbers. Nothing else will do. Stay safe, Jana, and thank you!
Your paragraph describing that man is perfect. There is not a more scary creature on earth at this time.
I agree. Thank you, Brenda. Stay safe!
When your last election was held the world watched the final results. Our jaws dropped when the results came through. Not what everyone expected. Unbelievable. We watched as the office of president was changed and the status of leader was lowered by his antics. Unbelievable. Covid 19 response from him has been not one of a leader. Unbelievable. Believe me we have had fools leading Oz but are thankful we have a person who has risen to the occasions that have troubled our nation recently.
He is a failure. He has always been a failure. His whole persona has been a fabrication. And we are suffering because some fools didn’t grasp that – though they were warned – and voted for him. Thank you, Robyn. Stay safe.
Your blog. Your rules.
Thank you, Cindy. Stay safe!
From the moment I discovered your blog I felt I’d found a kindred spirit, as I’ve mentioned before. You don’t owe anyone an explanation for the views you present. This is your blog and I shouldn’t have engaged with the person, that was for you to do. But sometimes I just can’t help myself when someone has espousing such wrong-headed nonsense. The more we have to put up with the utter corruption and incompetence in Washington, the shorter my patience gets with it all.
Being able to spend time outdoors on our pretty patio is more precious to me this summer than ever. Good for the blood pressure too
Take care,
Kay
It was absolutely okay for you to engage with her, Kay. I didn’t mind that at all. In fact, it’s nice to have support!
Stay safe.
Once again, thank you for sharing the truth. I was brought up in the 60’s-70’s in the south. In our home we were taught to respect the president no matter if we approved of them or not. I tried to like him in the beginning- I really did. But when he spoke of grabbing a female’s body part I was disgusted, embarrassed and outraged, as I’m sure millions of others were. Especially if they are like me and endured sexual abuse when I was young. He is so disgusting to me- to put it mildly. On inauguration day I wept as he was sworn in. Now look at our country. I’m ashamed and outraged!!!
I feel this: I respect the office of the President. But the person who occupies that office has to earn my trust. If I don’t trust him/her, then they don’t have my respect.
Praying for change in November, Louise. Stay safe!
Wow, I just sat down to the computer and we had an earthquake in Southern California, right here at dinnertime, 6:30pm-ish; I still feel dizzy; it was one that swayed as opposed to being jerky; feel seasick. Whew. Hands off the keyboard for a few minutes. I need to see what’s up.
Okay, back. There it is, instantly on the web/Twitter, was felt in L.A./”The Valley” and adjoining counties, a 5.Something quake (that’s not exactly small), but centered more about 150 miles northeast from where I sit. Wow. Yikes. I should have dove under the desk but you know, there’s a tendency to just pause and see how bad it’ll get, and that’s not a good mindset about it. Uh-oh; is this an aftershock. I think I have to leave this again.
————————–
Okay. Start over. I mean, what the hell else is going to happen? Locusts in India, hurricanes drumming up for the Gulf and Eastern seaboard with summer; our country so deeply wounded in too many ways and STILL in the middle of a pandemic; might as well have an earthquake, too, I guess. Sigh.
I’d said I’d be laying off comments to remember how to edit my lengthy words and let other readers talk. So, curbed it yesterday, but I’m still reading you every day, Claudia, and it’s hard not to chime in.
Just with you 200 percent on what you’re saying, have been shedding a lot of tears the past few days here; had to detach from news online and TV a whole lot more (as both my husband and myself are feeling in an understandably depressed mood which is NOT healthy and makes us edgy and snapping at each other due to the stress of the world); but what I was glad to read about today (Associated Press article out of Washington) was that President Obama is stepping out now with an ‘increasingly public role as the nation confronts a confluence of historic crises … in doing so, Obama is signaling a willingness to sharply critique his successor and fill what many (Democrats) see as a national leadership void’ – – so, good, we need a bridge from here to November, a strong stand with Biden, rally people to vote, especially those young protesters, and get Trump out for good before he wrecks America any further.
I know from talking to more than one person that we all need a good dose of Obama’s calming effect on the masses. He has such grace and intelligence; so much common sense and truth. He is noble. We NEED noble; dignity. Knowledge, experience; soul, heart. Some sense of normalcy and reassurance and healing in a country drowning on tossed seas. I’m hoping Biden is a louder voice after the convention in August so that we can get this ‘show on the road’ although that’s just an expression and it’s not a ‘show’; it’s personally my most-critical election ever and I think a zillion people feel the same. I hope so.
Glad you’re okay! Hearing Obama and hearing Biden earlier in the week made me so happy!
Stay safe, Vicki.
There seem to be several Brenda’s on here
I am brenda B
My post was first not the next two.
Dear Claudia,
I have read your blog for many years and haven’t yet commented. I just donated to a campaign for a young man running for Congress from the Bronx and Westchester (Jamal Bowman). I don’t know if this is your district. I live in California and heard about him from the Young Turks you tube channel. My husband and I are on fixed incomes and don’t really have allot of money to spare especially in these times. My husband was in the Navy for 22 years and has worked in air to ground communications for two companies (retiring from one and now working very part time for another. I have been a Montessori preschool teacher for 40 years. I also work part time but like to keep active. I share your political views and agonize daily! After the last 2 weeks, I have decided to donate to campaigns to overturn Senators and Congressmen that are particularly in bed with that man. Mostly I can just give $3 to $5 but it makes me feel good and I hope makes a bit of difference. We need to have control of Congress and the Senate. The recent protests have inspired me. Your blog is also a source of inspiration!
Thanks for what you do!
Mary DeLoach
No, that’s not my district, though it was when we first moved out here. Good for you for donating! Any little bit helps and it’s a positive step towards desperately needed change.
It’s lovely to meet you, Mary! I’m so glad you commented. Feel free to any time and stay safe!
What a powerful posting! I am reading this late, and don’t know whether you will read my comment, but I had to write it anyway. I have really cut down on my internet for the last few days so didn’t read your posts. I should have read them! But this post is still so timely and I love every word you have written. I could add all my feelings here, but I do think you have said it all. I just wanted to put down here that I agree with you. Stay safe, stay well. Love to both of you.
Thank you for your supportive words, Tana. They mean a great deal to me. Stay safe!