I still remain a bit numb after last week. It has been one horrible, no good, awful, terrible thing after another with Emperor Baby Fists. I never expected him to pivot into being presidential but Lordy! I also expected more out of him than this. My mistake. Thus, I am grumpy. Tired. Frustrated. But I am not giving up. I do need, however, to let out a good, loud scream and suspect you do too. So let’s do it together — AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH! I feel a bit better.
I had another post planned for today but it didn’t feel right to me. Instead, I’m just going to share some random thoughts about this and that.
RIP, My Beloved Emeril
Max has been mentioned many times here at A Mindful Migration, but he had a big brother. Granted, he actually never met his big brother, Emeril, but still, they are brothers. Emeril was my first “house” cat. I adored him. He was the sun and moon to me. He was bossy, opinionated, manipulative, handsome and chronically constipated. Last Thursday was the five year anniversary of his passing from kidney disease and I miss him so much.
Until we meet again …
Important Articles to Help You #Resist
I read part of the article from Daily Stormer on Heather Heyer that finally got GoDaddy to boot them. It was so hate-filled. How can you hate someone whom you’ve never met that deeply? It’s also really bad when Russia won’t even host your website — just saying. And while there was plenty of stuff that made my heart weep, I want to focus on the good stuff. Here are a few articles/posts I encourage you to read.
- The Radicalization of White Supremacists by German Lopex via Vox.
- Why Do You Hate Me? A Brown Woman Talks to a Former White Nationalist by S. Mitra Kalita via CNN.
- Resistance is Not Futile: 5 Ways Donald Trump Can Be Contained by Jonathan Alter via The Daily Beast
- Do Better American 2017 from Steph at Life According to Steph.
- Hate That Does Not Hide by Roxanne Gay via The New York Times
But …. Love Trumps Hate
I honestly was a little nervous to check the news on Saturday as I knew there were several alt-right rallies scheduled. But they served a couple important reminders:
- Bullies are wimps. And won’t show up.
- Love trumps hate.
There were approximately 50-100 alt-right protestors in Boston and 30,000 – 40,000 counter-protestors who marched peacefully.
Counter-protesters flood Free Speech Rally in Boston, drown out organizers https://t.co/2MZpmoD9f7 pic.twitter.com/4aoJag2KCi
— Newsweek (@Newsweek) August 19, 2017
I know some prefer to keep their blogs and social media free of politics, which I respect, however, please be sure that you are also not being “silent” either and become complicit inadvertently. You don’t need to be “loud” or even public (although encouraged) but do something. Email or call your representatives and senators and thank them for condemning hate or ask them why they haven’t. Donate, peacefully march in a protest and/or attend community meetings to meet your neighbors and expand your world.
Let’s Lighten Things Up a Bit
I went through a period last week when I couldn’t stand to see anything “light” because I was still in such a rage. Fortunately, I’ve regained my equilibrium, because I fully believe you can be enraged and take action against hate and still laugh and talk about food, family, kids, pets, hobbies, entertainment and what not.
I Need a Book Recommendation
Many of you know that I am a diehard mystery/thriller lover. But right now, I need something a little lighter. Something feel good. I am not a big fan of romance, which normally would fit my requirements but my cynical old coot nature will takeover. Also Dumplin’ and The Storied Life of AJ Fikry are out because I am saving them for something else later this year. But something similar. Please share any recommendations you have for me!
An August Guilty Pleasure
Listen, I watch lots of shows with no shame. Some are “prestige” and others are not. I watch what I enjoy … but this month one of my guilty pleasures is on. And it’s a tad (a lot) embarrassing. It’s the Garage Sale Mystery Movies on Hallmark Movies. A couple months ago I stumbled onto a movie marathon. I declared to Max that it looked stupid and 8 hours later, I finally left my couch. 😀 This month a new Garage Sale Mystery movie debuts every Sunday, and they remain sweet movies that require a big willingness to stretch belief, but I can’t help myself: I love them.
Oh Monday. Not You Again.
Poor Mondays. What did they ever do to us? Everything.
Happy Monday! I hope you get a chance to see the Solar Eclipse (safely) today! And don’t forget to share any book recommendations with me!
Tanya
I wish I had a good recommend for you… dang it. I’m blank.
I have tried to stay away from all the news as much as I can. it only fuels something in me I dont like. I’d rather live in my world with my friends & family & see the good around me. Is that hiding under a rock? Maybe- but I’m good with it.
Animals… they always have a part of our hearts.
I don’t think you’re hiding under a rock, Rebecca Jo. You’re still aware of what’s going on and commenting your belief’s on your friend’s blogs. We all need some separation from the negativity or we’d go insane! Our fur babies most definitely live on in our hearts!
I am literally too exhausted to talk about that man and his shenanigans and now his speech last night. I can’t…
But I can commiserate about the Hallmark Mystery channel because although I don’t watch the Garage Sale Mysteries, I watch the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries on that same channel 😀 Look, in my defense, they hooked me with a series about a librarian who solves mysteries. How could I not watch it?? 🙂
In terms of mysteries, I just finished “Spider in the Cup” by Barbara Cleverly who wrote that book “Tug of War” that I mentioned in my July book review post. This is the 3rd book I’ve read by her with her Scotland Yard detective, the first being “Diana’s Altar”. You should check her out, if you are interested!
Every day it’s something with that man. He is exhausting.
I’ve watched one of the Aurora Teagarden Mysteries. I liked it, but not quite as much as the Garage Sale Mysteries. For whatever reason, when I watched the Garage Sale Mystery marathon, I was in the mood for a good mystery cozy and didn’t nitpick. And I nitpicked a little with the Teagarden mystery I watched, although to be honest, I’d probably watch another one because I like her being a librarian too. And her little mystery-solving group too. 😀
Okay, my library annoying does NOT have Diana’s Altar but it has book 2 and 3. Grrrr …. do you think that will be a big problem to start with book 2? I’m also thinking about the Laurie King books (I’m pretty sure you read them) because Sherlock. 😀
I totally started out of order with the Barbara Cleaverly books. I happened to read Diana’s Altar first, not knowing it was part of a series, ha!
And also, I agree with the Amory Ames series. Nice cozy mystery and you can sleep at night after reading it! 😀
Okay, I got seriously confused about the book order and thought Diana’s Altar was book #1. They do have the first book (but not Diana’s Altar) so I nabbed it. Thanks for the recommendation!
You should do the Amory Ames series. Very light mysteries with fun characters and an entertaining main character storyline!
The news and politics and the hate out there is tiring. You’re right, though- Silence is not an option. Someone on my FB posted the Jimmy Fallon opening monologue after Heather’s murder and someone else commented under it and said, “Silence is acceptable.” I’m not out for a FB battle but I wanted to type in all caps, “IT ABSOLUTELY IS NOT.” Ugh.
Okay, you’ve sold me on the Amory Ames series!
It is so exhausting and tiring. And I feel numb some days. But I can’t be silent. And while I believe it’s up to the individual on how and where they want to express their feelings, pretending nothing wrong is going on is not a good choice.
oh, Emeril is beautiful. RIP to him.
i definitely don’t talk about politics that much, on my blog or in real life. i think people who know me know where i stand. i try and do things with my actions/money because you’re right. silence is not an option. you don’t have to talk to be heard.
He was so handsome, Kristen. I know I am biased but I told him every day that he was the most handsome cat in the world. And he would preen. He liked knowing how handsome he was. 😀
Exactly! You don’t have to be “loud” to be heard or do something positive. To not let hate become rooted even deeper in this country. But you do have to do something.