Inundated with bullshit last week, I arrived home Friday night after a stop at Lou's Farm Market, instructed Alexa to turn on ocean sounds, started a new book, caught up on The Affair, admired my new leggings, framed my Blur Street Art prints, and tuned out the world.
Saturday I attempted to enjoy my reading chair but my dogs said no, we won't allow it. I largely avoided Facebook to get my shit together after trump's immigration ban came down like a hammer straight from hell. Late afternoon I popped into HomeGoods because sometimes you just need to get lost in the towel aisle, you know what I'm saying? After that I had a delicious dinner at Dad & Carol's. My ever fashionable niece was wearing a pug shirt that was just too cute. She has every one of us wrapped around her finger.
I did most of my food prep Saturday afternoon: hard boiled eggs for breakfasts with berries; breakfast burritos to freeze; chicken/pasta/celery/kalamata olive/caper salads for lunches; pork tenderloin for dinners; raspberry lemon muffins; power breakfast muffins to freeze; and sweet potato casserole with marshmallows. Other dinners include salmon with roasted potatoes and steamed veggies.
Sunday I was supposed to have a massage but they had it scheduled for February, so there went that. I went to a Quaker meeting with MFD and we got a bite to eat at the Corner Bakery.
Then we headed to the airport because this flurry of bullshit executive orders is not America. We had no signs, we were dressed inappropriately, but we felt like we had to show up. I'm glad so many others did as well, by any means possible.
I could not chant anything at first, it was like I lost my voice to a mixture of despair, relief, and comaraderie amid a sea of people. I saw some other people with bright eyes, swallowing hard, and we exchanged glances...I see you. I see you.
To those sick of the protesting, mmm, nothing...nothing for you. But please tell me more about how this was about safety but trump made these changes to the National Security Cabinet this weekend, seemingly making us, you know, less secure.
Other Sunday things were sheet changing and the laundry and all that jazz. Sweet boring domesticity in a warm home with electric, heat, and running water; a fridge full of food, more material items than we could ever need, sleeping dogs...a sanctuary. A haven. Buoyed by the knowledge that our friends and family were all in their homes enjoying the comforts of them, accoutrements may vary. Like nothing that exists for the people in war-torn Syria. Refugees of war. Children.
Honestly I spent a lot of this weekend sick to my stomach over all of this. It was good to take a break for a while Saturday, get some peace Sunday, and then show up. When I don't know what I can do, a good answer for me is to always just show up and go from there.
Speaking of, I hope this shows up fine because I put all the pics in on my phone. Here's hoping. eta: it didn't show up fine, so I had to fix it
No ban on people from countries with Trump hotels or other trump business. Thanks a million to all who march to stand for all of us. It tells the world we are not all trumpers but they know from the popular vote. Exposing more hate and selfishness every day. Sending positive energy and love to change that. No hate. No fear. Refugees are welcome here. Proud of you and Mike Doyle to infinity and beyond. Love. Your. Momma 💖✨😇☮🗽🗽🗽🦄🍀❤️🇺🇸❣️❣️❣️
ReplyDeleteLOL at, "To those sick of the protesting, mmm, nothing...nothing for you." This isn't going to stop anytime soon, so I hope they get used to it. My niece has me wrapped around her finger, too <3
ReplyDeleteI agree with the protesting. I will stop protesting when there are none who need my help. I work at a large school with a large number of international students both at my location and at the main campus. The letter they sent directed to them made my heart hurt. And nieces! They all have us wrapped up don't they :) Worth every smile you get! :)
ReplyDeleteI couldn't live with myself if I did nothing when our country is so screwed up. I haven't been able to make it to the marches or protests (yet), but I've picked up the phone and made calls many times. And this weekend we donated to the ACLU.
ReplyDeleteThis has to get better. We can't keep treating other humans like this.
I cannot even begin with the mess that is going on. I just don't understand how people can continue to defend his actions and I feel like I am beating my head against a wall explaining why this is awful/why we protest.
ReplyDeleteWe also took the weekend to regroup and spend time with family. It helped to keep me sane.
I wish we could stop protesting. I largely ignored the internet Friday - Sunday morning and had little idea of what was happening and how bad it had gotten. Ignorance was bliss, sure, but it's unsafe since so many huge things change overnight. Remember a few weeks ago when the president's actions were largely unknown to the general public since they weren't so sweeping and life-changing?
ReplyDeleteI love that you guys went to the protest, even underprepared. So much in life is merely showing up.
my heart is so heavy with all that is going on in this world :( it has also extended to my country; last night, there were targeted attacks at the Islamic Center in Quebec where 2 armed men opened fire during prayers. DURING PRAYERS. wtf.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that you took some time for you. It's important and so necessary. I was so happy to see the peaceful protests because this is NOT what America is.
ReplyDeleteOn a lighter note, I had a massage scheduled for wednesday last week (and MG had one too) and guess whose got cancelled and rescheduled for 2+ weeks later...yep, this girl. My knots have knots I'm pretty sure. Super annoying.
Hoping the rest of the week gets more uplifting.
we didn't do much this weekend because i felt blah pretending to be normal or not disgusted by everything that is happening. showing up is a good place to start.
ReplyDeletebullshit about your massage though. i'd be cranky.
I've been seriously questioning myself about all this shit... do I have the courage I'll need if this all goes where it seems to be heading? I don't know, honestly. But I know I can't sit by and accept it either. Wish I were younger, with younger knees and back, but that feels like a cop out... You and Mike make me proud to know you.
ReplyDeleteI've been to Quaker meetings, in Yardley and in Penn Manor. Also stayed at a Quaker hostel in DC. Powerful! If I changed religion, I've long since known that that is where I'd go. I'm kinda stuck in Catholicism because it's what I know, but I "take what I like and leave the rest".
You're so amazing for going on Sunday - you and MFD are KILLIN the protest game these past few months; so proud of you. I can't even believe my eyes anymore with what's going on daily. The only thing preserving my sanity is knowing that all the damage this man has done in 9 short days means there's no way can last four years. Impeach, and impeach QUICKLY.
ReplyDeleteI enjoy getting lost in the seasonal sections of Hobby Lobby. It always makes me want to deck out my entire house in Valentine's Day, Easter, etc- ha! And I need to get my act together with food prep. I knew I could count on you to motivate me :O)
ReplyDeleteI thought it was a horrible, horrible joke. How can he do this? UGH! I'm with Ali - when can we start the impeachment process? There are days where I still sink into pity parties about what's not working in my life and then I remember how fortunate I am. How much I have. How blessed I truly am compared to so many people and shut up. FYI - the sweet potato casserole has me drooling.
ReplyDeleteI feel like a need a social media break too because there's just so much flying around. I'm glad that you were able to get some relief and get lost in the towel aisle though!
ReplyDeleteI have to say, while my stomach hurts and my heart hurts and it feels like my skin is going to spontaneously catch on fire from how angry I am...it has filled my heart SO much to see so many people simply showing up. Like you said, just being there. And people speaking up...not calling names or picking sides over small things, but speaking up about the big things. I haven't made it to anything like that, but I have made lots of phone calls and don't plan on stopping anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteYour food prep game is always so strong! The raspberry lemon muffins sound so good. Getting lost in any aisle at HomeGoods is a great way to bring cheer to my life. For sure.
ReplyDeleteGet it girl. Scream loud. This weekend was insanity.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you were able to go to your local airport. It's ridiculous and we won't stop talking. I keep seeing people stating how they are tired of seeing it all over Facebook, etc. and I just keep thinking "pay attention then." Either that or just mute people from your feed. haha
ReplyDeleteSorry you weren't able to get a massage, but it sounds like a fairly relaxed weekend overall.
-lauren
Wow Steph, you did an amazing thing this weekend and I admire you for showing up impromptu to let your voice be heard and not silenced! xo
ReplyDeleteHow many times have I thought "It CAN'T get any worse" before it does, in fact, get much worse. Gave money to the ACLU today and emailed my senators (again). It feels like it's somehow not enough...
ReplyDeleteI had the same emotional bummer of a weekend. I was recovering from surgery, so stayed in bed all day and couldn't pull away from Twitter. It broke my heart. I was stunned. I'm so glad you participated! And I was so glad to see Washington step up (the state is suing Trump!!)
ReplyDelete