I love your passion and appreciate what you share. I think it’s important to keep a balance between wanting to escape into the garden (or some other beautiful place) ignoring the world, and remembering that we have to keep fighting for our country. My kids are upset at the world they are inheriting, this is not normal.
On a personal note, I am heading to Lake Annecy in three weeks and I see that you are there! Would you share your top favorite things not to miss there, and maybe a restaurant recommendation? Thank you!
Depends on where you are staying. We're three miles from Annecy, so not in the town itself. If you've never been, it's delightful just poking around in the old part of town with its canals and arcades. The waterfront goes on for a long way--bring a bathing suit. You can rent bikes and ride around the lake or up into the hills (which can be steep--Tour de France comes by later in the summer). Hikes and strolls galore.
The lake is ringed with charming villages. We don't usually eat out, but last night my son and I had a drink and "bar snacks" (a light meal) at the Palace, a GRAND old hotel in Menthon overlooking the lake. https://www.palacedementhon.com/en/ Unforgettable spot.
Sadly, it doesn't do much good to call MY representatives as tney all think exactly the way I do. I've emailed the White House many times, saying "I will never vote Republican again unless you change your focus." Of course, I've never voted Republican but they don't need that info. I keep thinking that they must keep some pro and con statistics but maybe not.
I share your predicament. All my representatives are great Democrats. So my strategy is to call GOP representatives elsewhere whose vote might be malleable. Yes, I am lying when I say "I am your constituent from zip____" but desperate times call for desperate measures. Fortunately, our area codes no longer are an accurate indication of where we live...
Maybe there's an easier way to do this, but here's what I've done.
Look them up by state here: https://www.house.gov/representatives (list also shows their committees). For example, I was looking for folks on the House Rules committee: https://rules.house.gov/about/rules-committee-members and I see Nick Langworthy, serving the 23rd District of NY. On his webpage it says his local office is in Jamestown, zip 14701. So I call and say I'm a constituent from 14701 and here are my concerns...
Yes, just shut up about the news ;-)... though I will hang out regardless. But I think what you want is to be supporting the troops, not demoralizing them. Trust us, we KNOW what is going on, in more than enough detail. What we need to hear are next right steps to take in the context of this massive paradigm shift that we want to see happen: the dismantling of the patriarchy. We KNOW it won't be easy (with a nod to Roy Zimmerman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je6y2kFoPs8). Buddha mind, stoic mind when the unfolding is grim. Take heart. Give heart. That's our job now.
Hi Patty I expected you to respond thusly. I know you're not the only person who feels this way. However, a small minority of my readers do not read the news, and have been shocked to learn about what's going on. Into action? Probably not. :-( I will try to focus mostly on what we CAN do... Here in France I pull weeds to blow off steam. Will pull more.
Weeds, yes! I just listened to UC-Berkeley Commencement address by Daniel Lubetzky, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVfvzi-JveI. As I was listening, I didn't realize he was the founder of Builders, an organizing website I've been hanging out with a bit. Or of KIND. If any kind of approach will save us, his will.
Usually I love your blog through and through. This one was different - so depressing that you validate the general feeling of depression I have lately unless I find a way to keep my mind off the news.
I'm sorry Marj. IT SUCKS. My therapy while I'm at my son's is to pull weeds. He has a LOT of them. When I get back to my Portland condo in June, I have no weeds on the 4th floor. May have to hire myself out.
Always love your observations and comments Joy, especially from Lake Annecy!
It never disappoints!
Beautiful spot. Thank you for letting us join vicariously.
I am working in my garden to stay sane. It's my way of bringing some beauty into the world at a time we need it badly.
I still follow the news in the hope that once I better sort out how deprogramming works, I can bring some folks back into the light.
I like this focus -- figuring out deprogramming in order to bring some folks back into the light. All ideas welcome!
I like the mix of news and reflections on beauty.
Thanks, Sheila. I can take in just so much before I have to blurt. I'm glad my son has plenty of weeds that need pulling. They help.
I love your passion and appreciate what you share. I think it’s important to keep a balance between wanting to escape into the garden (or some other beautiful place) ignoring the world, and remembering that we have to keep fighting for our country. My kids are upset at the world they are inheriting, this is not normal.
On a personal note, I am heading to Lake Annecy in three weeks and I see that you are there! Would you share your top favorite things not to miss there, and maybe a restaurant recommendation? Thank you!
Depends on where you are staying. We're three miles from Annecy, so not in the town itself. If you've never been, it's delightful just poking around in the old part of town with its canals and arcades. The waterfront goes on for a long way--bring a bathing suit. You can rent bikes and ride around the lake or up into the hills (which can be steep--Tour de France comes by later in the summer). Hikes and strolls galore.
The lake is ringed with charming villages. We don't usually eat out, but last night my son and I had a drink and "bar snacks" (a light meal) at the Palace, a GRAND old hotel in Menthon overlooking the lake. https://www.palacedementhon.com/en/ Unforgettable spot.
Thank you, Joy, for sharing. That all sounds wonderful.
Report back on what you discover! And have a wonderful vacation.
I know where a place of repose is waiting for you …..😊
Excited!
Sadly, it doesn't do much good to call MY representatives as tney all think exactly the way I do. I've emailed the White House many times, saying "I will never vote Republican again unless you change your focus." Of course, I've never voted Republican but they don't need that info. I keep thinking that they must keep some pro and con statistics but maybe not.
I share your predicament. All my representatives are great Democrats. So my strategy is to call GOP representatives elsewhere whose vote might be malleable. Yes, I am lying when I say "I am your constituent from zip____" but desperate times call for desperate measures. Fortunately, our area codes no longer are an accurate indication of where we live...
Maybe there's an easier way to do this, but here's what I've done.
Look them up by state here: https://www.house.gov/representatives (list also shows their committees). For example, I was looking for folks on the House Rules committee: https://rules.house.gov/about/rules-committee-members and I see Nick Langworthy, serving the 23rd District of NY. On his webpage it says his local office is in Jamestown, zip 14701. So I call and say I'm a constituent from 14701 and here are my concerns...
Yes, just shut up about the news ;-)... though I will hang out regardless. But I think what you want is to be supporting the troops, not demoralizing them. Trust us, we KNOW what is going on, in more than enough detail. What we need to hear are next right steps to take in the context of this massive paradigm shift that we want to see happen: the dismantling of the patriarchy. We KNOW it won't be easy (with a nod to Roy Zimmerman. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=je6y2kFoPs8). Buddha mind, stoic mind when the unfolding is grim. Take heart. Give heart. That's our job now.
Hi Patty I expected you to respond thusly. I know you're not the only person who feels this way. However, a small minority of my readers do not read the news, and have been shocked to learn about what's going on. Into action? Probably not. :-( I will try to focus mostly on what we CAN do... Here in France I pull weeds to blow off steam. Will pull more.
Weeds, yes! I just listened to UC-Berkeley Commencement address by Daniel Lubetzky, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVfvzi-JveI. As I was listening, I didn't realize he was the founder of Builders, an organizing website I've been hanging out with a bit. Or of KIND. If any kind of approach will save us, his will.
Usually I love your blog through and through. This one was different - so depressing that you validate the general feeling of depression I have lately unless I find a way to keep my mind off the news.
I'm sorry Marj. IT SUCKS. My therapy while I'm at my son's is to pull weeds. He has a LOT of them. When I get back to my Portland condo in June, I have no weeds on the 4th floor. May have to hire myself out.
Your mantra to "put yourself in the way of beauty" probably works as well, Joy!