It’s not enough that we have the fallout from the election and the very real fears that go along with it, but we’re also in a drought here. It’s estimated that normal rainfall level is down 10-12 inches. That is shocking. Yesterday, we stopped in at the library and then took the back roads home. This road runs along one of our rivers.
All of what you see here, except for the areas with trees, is normally covered with water. The small rocks are the river bed. The brown area in the center is always completely covered. Except for now.
Right by where we were standing. This brown vegetation has been exposed as have all the brown patches – normally covered with water.
The width of the river would normally be from the branch in the foreground to the edge of the trees in the upper part of the photo. We saw geese sitting in the water, but the water didn’t even cover their bottoms. It was as if they had deliberately perched on a rock, but they hadn’t. I wonder how the fish are doing.
We have two rivers right by our house and it gets even more shocking across the street from us. This is our 20th year here, and we have never seen it like this. We’re supposed to get rain on my birthday – which is Thursday. I will be grateful to see it, but it will be just a drop in the bucket. We need so much more.
We’re trying to stay positive, but let’s face it, it’s almost impossible to stay in that place longer than a moment or two. Yes, we express our gratitude – we’re both very big on saying what we’re grateful for out loud – but sometimes the stupidity of the vile sh*tshow going on right now is too much.
So we work at maintaining some sort of balance, trying to occupy ourselves with chores and creative pursuits.
I know all of us are attempting to maintain some balance. Let’s help each other as we move forward.
Stay safe.
Happy Monday.
We are getting three days of rain this week and I wish it would head your way too, Claudia.
One minute I’m feeling more positive and then the next minute I’m worrying and feeling down again. Emotions so up and down right now and thoughts of “what to do – what will help – what’s going to happen”… You are right to focus on gratitude and be thankful for all I have but some times it’s hard not to be afraid.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Claudia. It does help.
Oh my goodness, sometimes I’m in a panic! I go back and forth. But for me, it’s about deep breaths and finding something to occupy my attention in a positive way. I understand, Ellen.
Stay safe.
Claudia, your photos show the unfortunate effects of climate change…which, yes, is actually occurring! It’s amazing looking at your pictures and trying to understand how some people deny it. I wonder about the fish, too. Balance in our lives is so very important.
I don’t know why people are so troubled by scientific and visual evidence. Ignorance, I guess.
Stay safe, Barrie.
our rivers are similar … very worrisome and very sad. may we all get the rain and other things we need.
same efforts being made for balance here … chores, creative interests, reading, time with family and praying … thanks for the encouragement.
claudia, i try not to bring my sadness here because i know we all have troubles and stress. plus i plain have trouble talking about some stuff (running was a great way to deal with it, but you know what happened to that [everyone, please get yourbone density checked!]). i will say that in the past four years i’ve lost three friends and, recently, a cousin to cancer and suicide (like sam, the man in the apartment next to mine). i try not to think about that. some members of my family have serious ongoing health problems. i pray and help as i can and fight my own depression, too. all that to say i hope you know that you and everyone else here do help me with every post and every comment. sharing parts of your life, your thoughts and heart helps me in many ways … i relate to things, find out about other things that are new to me, see beautiful photos, hear (read) kind voices, found friends i hope to someday meet in real life …. you are a blessing, claudia. so is everyone else here and don, too. thank you very much from my heart and may God bless you all. love you.
thanks for listening. stay safe.
kathy
I’m so sorry for your losses, Kathy. We have lost several friends in the past few years. It’s heartbreaking, isn’t it?
I’m so glad you’re a part of the family here – good, good people who care about others.
Hang in there, my friend.
Stay safe.
I’m so sorry to hear that, Claudia. We’re experiencing a drought here in Illinois, too. Very scary. We’ve had some rain lately and there’s more in the forecast, but I’m not sure how much difference that will make. I’m amazed at how well my mums are doing considering, and in addition, I have a hanging pot of geraniums that are still going strong, which I’ve never had this late in the season. Weird.
Anyway, deep breathing is a very good idea and I’m going to try more of it.
Take good care,
~Jenny
Sometimes, when I get very anxious, deep breathing helps ground me. Deep breath in, hold for a second, and then release it very slowly.
Stay safe, Jenny.
So sorry to hear about the drought. We take water for granted sometimes. Even some snow would help. I try not to listen to the news these days. I’m focusing on getting ready for Christmas. This morning I’m making a cranberry/orange loaf. Stay hopeful. Hugs, Elaine
Trying to, Elaine.
Stay safe.
The drought is terrible here in North Jersey as well. One more thing to be worried about! I was up at 4:30 this morning, just too much on my mind. I’ve been reading more than usual as it seems to occupy my mind for a few hours every day. Trying not to watch too much news. I’ve kept a gratitude journal for years, but most of the time I am just afraid.
I bet it’s just as bad in NJ as it is here, Judy.
Hopefully, we can manage our fears going forward. Feel free to let it out here on the blog.
Stay safe.
Those river pictures are troubling….that was our area last year. We are supposed to get four days of precipitation, and hopefully that will continue our forward progress. Hope this rain/snow goes eastward to you.
I was talking to my friend yesterday about this helpless feeling I have regarding the future. I can’t control what I can’t control. But, I can control my response to the madness. I can help my kids in their pursuits. And I can control my own pursuits and diversions. Hopefully, there will be a positive movement I can get behind from my own little corner of the world. Until then, I’ll just do the best I can. I’m not giving up…I’m just lying in wait.
Enjoy your day! ;)
I want to be active as a resistor, but I also have to protect myself.
Hang in there, Donnamae.
Agree….striving for balance! ;)
xoxo
We’re experiencing a drought here in Indiana too. Thankfully we are supposed to get some rain for the next few days starting this evening. Not sure it’ll be enough to help much but guess it’s better than nothing.
We haven’t watched any news since the election. I just can’t take it. I am also limiting my time on social media. I am trying to stay positive as much as I can but my goodness it isn’t easy. I do fully believe in miracles. Ed and I are living proof of that. We survived a car accident that no one thought anyone could come out of alive. All the many doctors we had told us we’d be in the hospital for weeks to months and then in rehab for the same amount of time. Against all odds we were home in a little over two weeks. Not only did we survive but we are in one piece and of sound mind (well, guess that could be debated). We have spent the summer recuperating and healing has been a slow process but we are doing okay. So many of our friends, neighbors, family and even people we don’t know stepped up to help in so many ways. We can never ever thank them enough. My problem is, most of these folks support him. I don’t know how to deal with that. I can’t just turn my back on them and cut them off. Not after they were so kind and good to us. Ed and I are both Christians, belong to the Primitive Baptist church and have a deep faith. But we are also solid democrats and we live in a very red state. Honestly, we feel a little lonely here! But, reading this blog helps so much, Claudia. I read the blog and all the comments and I know we aren’t alone. We aren’t the only ones feeling as we do. So thank you for taking the time to write this blog and for allowing all the comments. It is such a help. Take care.
I understand. Those people have helped you. You can’t cut them off.
I’m glad you’re here, Lorinda. And I’m so happy that you and Ed have recovered.
Stay safe.
hej, lorinda.
sorry for what you and your husband have been through, but so glad you both made it and are on the mend!!!
also glad you have many helpful people in your lives. hopefully they understand political topics might need to be off-limits for the time being.
keep taking good care of yourselves. i’ll be praying for you.
kathy
You’re right, I think the key is to find something enjoyable to distract us from our darkest thoughts. I began this summer watching an episode of “West Wing” while I had lunch every day. It’s on MAX and I’m up to almost the end of the 6th of 7 seasons. Since the election I’ve found it even more of an enjoyable escape back to the time when people in the WH wanted to make a positive difference in the lives of the American people. I tell myself, and my children, that time will come again but only if they stay involved.
Take care,
Kay
West Wing is such a good series. And a very good escape.
Stay safe, Kay.
God helps those who help themselves. I honestly believe we have a Hitler as president. I am not going to be like the complacent Germans and not do anything. I am contributing to the ACLU, going to my church to see if there is anything being done for the potential of the mass deportation of immigrants and getting marching in the streets if I have to. I won’t go quietly. I am hanging up my Ukraine poster and will once again do the clothing drive for warm clothes to be mailed there. I am hoping for the best but preparing for the worst. There really is no corner I can hide in to give me much comfort, so I feel I have to get out of my “bubble” and do something. Sorry for the rambling but I needed to spill my guts, and I feel I am among friends on this site.
Maria
Good for you, Maria. Yes, so am I. And I suspect the same holds true for many of us here.
I will not stay silent.
Stay safe.
We’ve had a bit of rain of late, but not a lot. And it’s still warm — today mid-50s. It’s hard to see the rivers dry.
I’ve been watching a lot of Midsomer Murders and once I get my house back in order from the Bugman, skipping ahead and getting a little Christmas up earlier than usual but I need a little Christmas (right this very minute, candles in the window, carols at the spinet.) And reading. And connecting with like-minded friends. Time to support each other.
I will, at least, hang the lights on the porch. Since we get a real tree, that has to wait.
Hang in there, Jeanie.
xo
dear Claudia/Don — glad to hear from you all — has been a very cloudy dreary day today w/rain promised overnite (hoping loudly !!) — the other day we got over 2 in of rain evening/overnite –so welcomed. Maybe some will head your way, hoping so, especially b/c of those awful fires–I know those fire fighters must be exhausted — what a dangerous job to have but so very important. my rage is still ongoing (doesn’t help that the Mr has raging moments, too) thankful he shares my political views but it doesn’t take much to set us off, haha!! looking forward to being w/family for the holiday next week — I know your bday is coming up b/c it will be our
53th anniversary — neither of us can believe it!!! But have a Very Happy Birthday (early) Gonna have pie???? hope so. stay safe/healthy
I feel the same way. Thank goodness Don and I are the same page politically.
Oh my goodness, Linda. Happy 53rd Anniversary tomorrow! What an amazing accomplishment!
Stay safe.
Hi Claudia!
We’ve sort of have a real Christmas tree. It’s a tabletop tree about 3 and a half feet tall, bought at a local shop which is sadly now closed. Someone from the shop made it out of tree branches and small limbs. We’ve had it for 25 years now. We get it out for Halloween and put orange lights and Halloween decorations on it. For Thanksgiving we keep the orange lights but put Thanksgiving decorations on it. Then we decorate it for Christmas after that.
I too live in a red state and feel out of place. I too know a lot of really nice people who support you know who. It’s baffling. I do worry. I go on Medicare next month. Another family member is disabled and on Medicaid and another has health insurance through the Affordable Care Act. All things pretty much up for grabs.
I read a lot of children’s novels. There are some really great classic and current ones that deal with serious issues in an honest and positive way. Some are realistic and some are fantasy books.
Hang in there!
I’m on Medicare and get Social Security. My nephew is disabled. All very, very worrying!
Stay safe, Cheryl!