painting by Zoe Tilton

January 9, 2026

Happy Birthday, Charlie.

Happy Birthday, Mr. Spicer.

Seems to have been a good day to be born, or at least that good people were born today. 

So this is Zoe's painting that she had made into cards this year.   I think it is a fascinating study of a simple activity.  It's modern and Renaissance and male and female and edgy but not.  I can't wait to talk about it with her.   


Bye-bye sweet car.  Thank you for being my office for the past five years.  You served me well.  Not only were you gifted to me by my lovely and loved niece, but you kept going no matter  what, until the end, when it was important for you to be allowed to go gracefully.  Thank you, Sarah, thank you car, thank you, last 5 years.  I'm feeling some mourning around this, although I am aware that there is a lot to mourn at the moment.











 poetry escapes me
and bitterness makes
a bid for my heart
so for a second here
i mistake numbness for
a remedy and then
remember a mother died
today trying to be
in the way
of great wrong
instead it swept her under
i have no room for numb
i won't be struck dumb
or surrender a crumb
of our nation's dignity
to despots with guns
even if i die for staying
awake
and resisting
                    Dina Stander.

By 8:30 this morning I had read several poems in response to the killing of Renee Nicole Good. My own poet's need to respond is great, but not coming quickly. Others, some of my favorites like Dina and Maria Williams, had posted by this morning, proving the power of the poem to bring us close to the facts and the emotions elicited by horrible events.

My week has been a series of great positives, warmth, love and this overwhelming fear and disgust at the way this country is taking shape. My feelings of "I just don't get it" have turned to "how do we stop them now."

I have Annie's car in my driveway tonight and tomorrow I will go look at my beautiful Rookery. According to Y pals who live in that neighborhood it was beautiful but deadly this morning, so I'm glad I didn't go to face the ice.
My big brother fell on ice today, I'm waiting to hear how he's doing. Paulie, I love you.

Maybe I can get some photos taken tomorrow. Maybe this sense of wanting to curl up in a ball and cry will go away. Know that I am aware of all the graciousness that has been given to me. I really am so blessed.


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  December 11, 2025 I got to see all three of my siblings this year, what a treat.  Also, I got to see all three spouses, double treat.  I only saw 2 of the next generation and then 4 of the next generation.  I guess we just don't live all that close any more and I have a hard time making it to holidays or doing any traveling at all. It was another day of no photography and no creative writing.  I did get some work done and I did go to LAVA, but my time of loneness was spent organizing the have to's in my life.  I also was in touch with many friends and making sure all were well.  All were well.  So again I offer no insights, I offer no entertainment, nothing really beautiful to look at.  But I am checking in and saying good night.  Here's to happy dreams.   Good night. 
Read more
Image
December 4, 2025 A Hole In The Sky. I didn't get a nap today, I did get some stuff done.  I went out into the world today and I met the specialist doctor of the day. I feel that each merry go round. representing the three medical issues I am having, is organized and moving forward, which is better than 2 weeks ago when I felt trapped in a maze of the medical world's making.  I'm also going to teach myself the details of the digestive system of our bodies so I can have a better understanding of the information that is thrown at me in these appointments.   photo by Gary Gary went down in the basement, a job usually handled by T., and discovered I have more oil in my tank than I thought.  I was worried about running out during this 2 day cold burst.  But I have a month or so before I need to figure out emergency fuel stuff.  Tomorrow I will fill out all the forms though and be all set for when I need it.  I also have to fill out the forms for my Y me...
Read more
Image
December 29, 2025 Happy Birthday Eliza Jean I get to see you this week.  YAYAY!!! www.brattleborotv.org/here-we-are/Kora Skeele, Director of Community SHOCK, NGO Here-we-are Kora Skeele I never get to brag about Kora, I should, but I don't get to hang with her in the same way I hang with EJ so I'm not regularly flashing the camera in her face.  I didn't even get to see her and the family at Christmas this year.  I may try to in the next couple days.  But Annie sent me this link today and I got to gloat about what a wonderful woman she is, I really love watching her be in the world.  If you got a little time, watch the interview.   She's kind of remarkable.  And yeah, I know I say that about a lot of my friend's kids, but it happens to be true and I happened to  be gifted with the role of Godmother to her.    Woke up this morning to ice and a sudden sense of despair.  I realized the idea of needing a new car was too overwhelming...
Read more