I slept well last night. I even slept in.
That’s what happens when goodness, competence, compassion, integrity, and honor come back to the White House.
What an extraordinary day.
We were glued to the television for the whole thing, only taking a break for a bit in the afternoon. I’m too overwhelmed with joy and peace this morning to address everything I loved about the inauguration. I can’t get my brain around it all and I’m in a blissful state this morning that doesn’t include a lot of clarity, just happiness.
I will say that I am so grateful that the Arts are back in the White House. The brilliant young poet Amanda Gorman knocked my socks off. She is a national treasure. The previous occupant of the White House didn’t read, didn’t listen to music, didn’t care about music, dance, theater, film, poetry. He was bereft of joy. To engage with the Arts, you have to be willing to be transported, to be challenged, to think, to ponder, to transform, to expand. Thankfully, the Biden White House has restored what was missing.
I’ve spent my entire life in the Arts. I grew up around artists who were expansive and smart and witty and willing to learn. My life has been blessed by my relationships forged from the community of theater artists, as has Don’s. We miss that right now, of course, as there is no work for us. But we are buoyed by our memories of the joy that comes from working together to create something. Those fellow artists become family and remain so long after we’ve parted ways. We have been talking about this very thing lately – how fortunate we are to have known and worked extraordinary artists, and how much we miss working in a collaborative and exciting way.
It’s enormously important to have validation of the Arts coming from the White House. Especially now, when so many are out of work.
That’s what struck me this morning.
So many wrongs that are already being addressed via Executive Order. Thank God.
For now, for today, I just want to bask in the glow of yesterday. I bet you do, too.
It finally happened. The despot is gone. Long live decency.
Here’s a puzzle update. I should finish it today.
Enjoy this day, my friends. We’re in good hands.
Stay safe.
Happy Thursday.
Yes, yes, and oh hell, yes! It’s like and enormous weight has been lifted.
Yet still, there is autocorrect…grrrr.
xo
You are not kidding!
Stay safe, Shanna!
Well said. I texted my sister that I felt 100 pounds lighter. The last 4 years have been such a psychic burden.
Almost weightless!
Stay safe.
I can breathe today
My grands from age six to 21 are thrilled…
Love that puzzle
Beautiful
Prayers
Thank you, Brenda.
Stay safe!
peace, beauty, relief.
very pretty puzzle, too.
happy, safe days to all.
kathy in iowa
Same to you, Kathy.
xo
Wasn’t yesterday such a wonderful day? Oh my…still basking in happiness and relief. The giant cloud has been lifted. Everything seems brighter and lighter today.
Happy Days! ;)
I agree. Thank God.
Stay safe, Donna.
It does seem like you are now in good hands and thank goodness for that. It was such an enjoyable, uplifting inauguration, I’m so happy for you.
Thank you so much, Fiona.
Stay safe!
I am still basking in the glow from yesterday, too. The sun even came out here yesterday. How apropos!
Lady Gaga’s voice was incredible and powerful and then Amanda Gorman took the podium. I was totally blown away. Not only was her poem incredible, but the way she delivered it was the icing on the cake.
I grew up with music and books. Started writing poetry when I was in junior high. Played the piano and flute all the way through high school. My son majored in Fine Arts and Photography. You betcha the Arts are important to me!
Such a relief that the inauguration went without incident. I knew the last 4 years had been dark and played on peoples fears, but it’s like someone threw open heavy draperies and let the light in! It’s such a relief to have hope and to feel there are competent people in charge once again.
Stay safe
Amen, Marilyn!
Stay safe.
Lady Gaga was incredible!
Stay safe, Melanie.
I watched every single second. I feel as though I can breathe again. A collective sigh of relief and joy. And last night I slept like a baby for the first time in weeks. And yes, the arts. And Amanda Gorman. And three past presidents, side by side. I feel like we’ve turned the page. I’m not oblivious to the ugly that remains, the fights that will be. But at least now I can really feel hope and energy. Onward! (The puzzle is great!)
Onward!
Stay safe, Jeanie.
Happy days are here again!!!
Stay safe my friend
You, too, Cathy.
xo
It is good to be hopeful again.
Yesterday was a lovely day.
Peace and love!
Same to you, Ellen.
Stay safe!
I too slept well. I felt my whole body relax all day long as events rolled by. Ended with a magical fireworks display. I’m so happy I don’t have words.
Me too.
Stay safe, Linda.
You have got to stop showing your unfinished puzzles. I sit here staring at the screen and trying to find where some of the pieces go!! A lesson in futility. I need to puzzle out my own puzzles. And I am much happier also that Trump is in Florida where he belongs. On a golf course. I have been praying for years he would stay down there and golf. Though I didn’t know he would do it before he left office and forget he had a job.
I just finished the puzzle, Tana.
Stay safe.
Am still on a high from yesterday. I’m grateful to all who voted for Biden/Harris.
Got my first COVID Vaccine this morning. It was organized, not crowded and not rushed.
Lucky you! We’re out of vaccines here. I have no idea when we’ll be able to get a shot.
Stay safe, Wendy.
Such a relief to have he-who-shall-not-be-named finally gone! I highly recommend James Corden’s “One Day More” of President Trump parody with help from Broadway stars on youtube. So well done!
I saw it. You should watch Randy Rainbow’s final video as well. Brilliant.
Stay safe, Emily.
And yet the brainwashed cult of Trump still does not recall the things that Trump did which incited each peaceful protest. Whether the protests were to your liking or not, he did need to know that most Americans did not agree with his cruel brand of politics. His only care for you is for the money that is to be made from his hold over you.
I’ll leave her comment up for the rest of the day and then I will delete it as well as block her.
Willful ignorance is no excuse.
If she supports him, she supports racism, xenophobia, sexual assault, children in cages, lies, corruption, misogyny….and a whole lot more.
She is not welcome here.
I didn’t bother reading beyond the first few bits of her little diatribe and I feel sad for her, Claudia. She’s entitled to her opinion but I’m entitled to the facts. And I’m too busy being positive and feeling the light right now to let her little shadow dim any of our joy!
Good for you, Roxie!
Stay safe.
I didn’t bother reading beyond the first few bits of her little diatribe and I feel sad for her, Claudia. She’s entitled to her opinion but I’m entitled to the facts. And I’m too busy being positive and feeling the light right now to let her little shadow dim any of our joy!
And Randy Rainbow and James Cordon et al nailed it!!!
xoxo
One response – babies in cages.
Exactly. Never fear, Anne, Jacque will be blocked by the end of the day. I’m leaving her comment up so you can all respond to her inane reply.
Your question – Now, you expect Unity? Yes I do. Why wouldn’t ANYONE want unity in these trying times whether you are a Republican or Democrat? Did you like the mob at the Capitol and the Hate groups/Domestic terrorists that have become emboldened in the United States in the last 4 years? Maybe you are the one with the lousy memory of something that only happened 2 weeks ago. Shame on you.
Well said, Julie.
Stay safe!
It is wonderful!! I am trying so hard to enjoy it and be at peace. Yet, I keep waiting for OM to do something. Make his next move. Stir things up. I think he will with his eyes on 2024. I wish there had been time to
Impeach him immediately. By the time they get to it all hope of Republican support will have vanished. McCarthy already walked back his statements now. As time passes and memory fades so will their votes. Then we have 2024 to worry about again.
McCarthy has nothing to do with the trial. He’s in the House. I can almost guarantee that Trump will be in the middle of major legal battles and will be indicted by the State of New York and the New York AG. George is also considering taking legal action. He also may be charged with Federal crimes, including inciting an insurrection on the government.He will be stripped of his ill-gotten gains and will be on his way to prison.
Stay safe, Jan.
I know McConnell is asking to wait til at least Feb now. I wonder how he is going to find a lawyer to represent him.
He is gone…but what about those still IN Congress who were part of Jan 6? When will they be dealt with????
McConnell doesn’t seem to realize yet that he is no longer the Majority Leader. He is still using that Twitter handle.
Nancy Pelosi spoke about investigating those who might have aided in the insurrection earlier today, I think. The word ‘prosecuted’ came up.
xo
Ah, from your fingertips to God’s reading glasses.
xo
Your correct about McCarthy in the house. I just used him as an example of what I think we will see more of from other Republicans. Claudia, I pray your predictions of legal battles and Trump’s comeuppance come true!!
xoxo
I can’t even spend words on that “person” who posted. I am so glad you will take it down and block her. Thank you!!
Yesterday was beautiful & the concert last night was fantastic. I wish they had ended it with Ding Dong the Witch is Dead.
All of the news that was produced by Presidential business today was calming. (Although stressful to know what the last admin had NOT done over the past year about Covid.) AND, I was not suspicious of a single thing that he, the experts, and his Press Sec said!!! Pretty amazing!!
It was nearly 40* and sunny here today! Tomorrow to zero and below & accumulating snow over the weekend. ugh. But dealing with it with a happy heart is much easier!! Take care.
Enjoy a day that isn’t filled with dread. Isn’t it wonderful?
Stay safe, Chris.
I would call her statements brain washed, but you have to have a brain first.
From start of the day to the fireworks, it was beautifully organized and orchestrated with so much respect for “ordinary” people and the arts. An absence of ego, an abundance of recognition. And all the wondrous things he accomplished in his first hour in the Oval Office. Spectacular!
Spectacular!
Stay safe, Nora.
Jacque,
After reading your post, I was struck by your selective memory. You failed to mention any of the atrocities we have witnessed and endured for the last FOUR+ years.
I, for one am tired of this lazy attitude.
It is E A S Y to flip the channel to Fox and let them spread their lies. It is E A S Y to listen to your like minded neighbors, friends, family and church leaders and let them perpetuate these lies until you all believe, without hesitation, that you are the majority and that “everyone” thinks the way you do.
It is difficult to search for the truth when you don’t know where to find it. It is frightening when what you see in the media you choose to consume are distorted truths, manipulated and manufactured to keep you afraid and in the dark.
It is abundantly clear that not everyone chooses (or has the opportunity for) a higher education or enjoys reading and learning FACTS about our United States history and politics in their spare time. But, whatever the case may be, who you listen to, what you read and the information you consume is a choice and should not be taken lightly.
There is a wise quote that goes like this: “If you are the smartest in the room, you are in the wrong room.”
I encourage you to look beyond what is familiar to you. Put in the effort and search for truth. Question the memes your friends share with you. Look for a source – check for spelling, grammar, bad photoshop!
You can read the inaugural address President Biden gave yesterday in its entirety on the White House website. Do read it for yourself without the commentators and interpretation you are accustomed to.
One of my favorite moments is where he said:
“We can make America, once again, the leading force for good in the world.
I know speaking of unity can sound to some like a foolish fantasy.
I know the forces that divide us are deep and they are real.
But I also know they are not new.
Our history has been a constant struggle between the American ideal that we are all created equal and the harsh, ugly reality that racism, nativism, fear, and demonization have long torn us apart.
The battle is perennial.
Victory is never assured.
Through the Civil War, the Great Depression, World War, 9/11, through struggle, sacrifice, and setbacks, our “better angels” have always prevailed.
In each of these moments, enough of us came together to carry all of us forward.
And, we can do so now.
History, faith, and reason show the way, the way of unity.
We can see each other not as adversaries but as neighbors.
We can treat each other with dignity and respect.
We can join forces, stop the shouting, and lower the temperature.
For without unity, there is no peace, only bitterness and fury.
No progress, only exhausting outrage.
No nation, only a state of chaos.
This is our historic moment of crisis and challenge, and unity is the path forward.
And, we must meet this moment as the United States of America.
If we do that, I guarantee you, we will not fail.
We have never, ever, ever failed in America when we have acted together.
And so today, at this time and in this place, let us start afresh.
All of us.
Let us listen to one another.
Hear one another.
See one another.
Show respect to one another.
Politics need not be a raging fire destroying everything in its path.
Every disagreement doesn’t have to be a cause for total war.
And, we must reject a culture in which facts themselves are manipulated and even manufactured.
My fellow Americans, we have to be different than this.
America has to be better than this.”
Jacque, remember that wise quote I shared above? Get out of that “comfortable” room you are in and find a new room. Become enlightened. It will do you a world of good.
Beautifully said, Christy.
To Claudia and all the regulars that comment on here. Thank you so much! For the last four years or more I have been getting the best political information on what is happening in your country from you. Information I trusted more than from anywhere else. Today I am so so happy for you and for all the rest of us in the world.
I stayed up late Wednesday night our time to make sure I saw 45 leave and cheered when he did but couldn’t stay up for the best part, the Inauguration. I watched it Thursday night our time instead. It was very powerful and Amanda Gorman, what can I say! Enchanting! I have been telling all my friends to watch her recital. The joy and pride on Kamala Harris’s face said everything.
We are so lucky here in Australia, especially here in Queensland, with the Covid situation. I hope that soon things improve greatly for all of you as well!
Cheers, Karen in Queensland.
Thank you so much for your kind words, Karen!
Stay safe!
Really. Please no more
I’m back. Just to say “Wow.” Thank you everyone who took Jacque to task. Some things and statements defy belief. That screed was one of them. It came after I commented yesterday. Probably a good thing or I might have gone ballistic in my reply, much like many of yours which were probably far more polite than mine would have been! I love this space. And the people in it. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your support, Jeanie.
Stay safe!
I feel nothing but sorrow for you as you are as delusional as the twice impeached president. I hope you reach out and get some professional help before your bitterness takes over your life.
Your comment ‘the land of the sane’ made me shake my head yes!! That is the United States I want to live in, the land of the sane! Thank you.
Me too!
xoxo
Wow. I haven’t logged in for a few days and caught up and read every response to the trumper in our midst. Amazing and disturbing that there are so many of them. I just got off the phone with a longtime “friend” who dismissed my expressions of relief that Biden was president. Bitter and mocking and ignorant. I will not seek her out, call her or think of her in the same way again. If she wants to seek me out, fine. I will not put in the effort. It costs too much. It will be a superficial friendship and nothing more. I cannot change her but I will not let her change me. Hope I made some sense. Grateful to have this blog.
Thank you, Maria. Yes, you made sense. And thanks for your support.
Stay safe!