Hello Everyone, yes, we’re still in England, but not for much longer! On our way home soon. 🏡 But ever since our election, I’ve had a hard time sleeping, I can’t turn off my brain, I wake up thinking about it, and go to sleep worrying about it. Finally I turn to the cure, I’m going to work it over in my mind by writing about it. It’s not that I have any secrets from you. I usually see my blog as a happy place, even as an escape from the negativity these days, where kindred spirits gather to talk about the little things that make life wonderful, things we all have in common. And, until recently, I always thought
And I have done it, risen above reality, quite easily throughout most of my life. When bad things happen, I go to the garden and pick a few flowers, make a cup of tea, get under my nap blanket with an old movie, and I feel better. I put away the disappointment I feel for the direction of the world and go knit my 89th scarf instead. I invite friends to dinner, light candles, pour wine, play beautiful MUSICA that fits my mood and forget. Even during 9-11, the worst, most intrusive example of man’s inhumanity to man, followed 
by all the other ones since, I could turn on Shirley Temple or Fred Astaire and slowly but surely, be healed. Maybe this made me a shallow person, but I didn’t see it that way. I saw it as a “take charge” of my life gesture, and it has always worked (except once, Sandy Hook 😥). But what has just happened to our country, I fear, is a 9-11 in very slow motion…no Shirley Temple movie is going to help. Where this election will take us, as a people, is still to be seen. And I have to talk about it. Please try to read this, because it comes from my heart. It’s not so much about the election, but more about us, and this angry world we live in.
See this photo, this room full of anything-but-angry Girlfriends? This and the photos below are the wonderful faces of some of the people that Joe and I had the privilege of meeting while crossing the country in the Fine Romance 
Van this last spring. I have no idea what political party they affiliate with, and I honestly don’t care. Because that’s only one small part of who a person is, and these people were so giving, kind, and filled with light . . . and we have so much in common! I would much rather concentrate on that . . . I could write a book about our commonalities! Oh yes, I forgot, I have! I’ve always known it from the wonderful letters I’ve received over the years, my whole life is based 
on it. We love our families and our best friends, we love nurturing them. We love to decorate our houses, make curtains and pillows, pick wildflowers for vases, because we all agree, home is where the heart is. We fold clothes, warm from the dryer, on the kitchen table (sometimes we wrap our kids or husbands up in them), we call each other to catch up, bake cookies and birthday cakes, feed our beloved pets, make Thanksgiving dinner, welcome family home with open arms, work hard, get the kids to school, put their drawings on the fridge, give to charity, mourn our lost loves, count our many blessings and are so grateful we have this amazing opportunity and gift to be able to do these little things that make life so very sweet.💞 We know how quickly everything can change and we are grateful for a normal day.
These days though, another thing we have in common, we worry. Mostly for our children and grandchildren in this changing world ~ we want them to hold on to the look in this little girl’s eyes for as long as possible, to grow up free as the wind, 
so tenderly careful never to touch butterfly wings, never experiencing war, sure that all things in our world are right and good. We want them to read books, embrace honesty, integrity, and ethics, have the very best education possible so the stars are the limit, honor family traditions, lay under trees, watch the leaves fall, dream, and 
feel perfectly free to reach for the moon and make this world a better place because I’ve never met a child who didn’t wish to do that. Every one of us wants our families to receive the best health care, and none of us want to see our parents grow old, destitute and alone. I don’t care which political party we’re from. Or even which country. Right? Isn’t that who we are as human beings, all of us? It’s what I believe.
Some of us are Catholic, some of us are Methodist, Jewish, or Muslim, and some of us have no religion at all, but that’s okay, because we respect freedom of religion as our forefathers, those we honor on Veterans Day, have fought so hard to preserve. We aren’t afraid of people that are different from us. We know their children will be bullied in school if we adults do not stand up for the rights of their parents. No child should ever be bullied because of some crazy adult thing. And common sense tells us, you can’t hold a person down without staying down there with him. And it’s our intention to rise and rise together. Right? One world, one people? Our grandmothers taught us that we’re going to disagree with people, but to be respectful, don’t throw our trash in other people’s yards, and remember that religion and politics are taboo subjects in mixed company and good manners means that sometimes we just keep our mouths shut.
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If A is success in life, then A equals X plus Y plus Z. Work is X; Y is play; and Z is keeping your mouth shut. 💛Albert Einstein
We might be Republicans or Democrats, but until the last few years, we’ve always believed we were on the same American team, trying to make a better country. We agree that we’d like to use our tax money to have safe bridges, clean water, good schools. Despite what we are told by a divisive media, we do want the same things, Yes we do, and are mostly just exactly alike. And that is true for peace-loving, garden-planting, women and men of all backgrounds, in all countries. Imagine waking up each morning not knowing if your child will make it home from school 
alive. Not knowing if men with machine guns will pop in the door of your little house with the one flower in the vase. Really imagine it, because it’s like that for some women in the world, women just exactly like the ones in these photos, people like us, who never stop dreaming of a better world. We are so lucky to live the way we do. To knit Christmas presents, make soup, take the kids to a movie. To go to tea parties wearing a new hat. All the joyful little things that make life so wonderful.
But our peace is under threat. We are being torn apart from within. I can tell you for 100% sure, no one in any of these photos hates America, whether she’s from Iowa, California, Arizona, Texas, Utah, Oklahoma, New York, or Wisconsin or all of the lovely places in-between. You know it, and I know it. Believing they do hurts our country. The people who tell us one part of the country is BETTER or WORSE than another, is a traitor to his country. His purpose is to rip us apart when he does that. It’s cruel and wrong, it has not a single American value in it, and if I was queen I would put these people in rehab (on a desert island). They do it for money. Look closely at those faces, we all love our country. We are good people, all of us. Anyone who tells you different is lying. That’s the first thing I wanted to clear up.
“Reporting is expensive, and making stuff up costs nothing.” 😜 BBC
But something has clearly changed when we elect a President of the United States who 
admits grabbing women by their private parts. I don’t care about one political thing, but that statement was a knife in my heart. That was the moment I said to myself, “Done.” Because it tells our young men that we condone this, it tells our daughters they are nothing. There is not one honorable thing in it, it is against everything I want the world to be. I would be very surprised if we didn’t all agree on this too no matter who we voted for. When I think of women in other countries who are buried in the dirt up to their necks and stoned to death for not following the local rules, and remember how hard we’ve fought for respect in this country, my heart bleeds and I cry very sad tears.
So what changed and when? Our country didn’t always suffer from so much divisiveness. Our media didn’t always take us to the lowest common denominator. I know, because I’ve been around a long time. When I was in high school, whether you were a Republican or a Democrat did not matter a bit. Most of us didn’t even know what we were. When did half of us become “the other” and the other half become “reviled?” How did this knife get driven into the heart of our country, dividing us like we are today? How did we all get so hurt, because both sides are very hurt by this. And, with all this glorifying of negativity, this shamelessness, how do we raise our children? How do we teach them? How do we take care of the sick and dying? How do we live and work together in peace?
How’d it happen? I think I know because I watched it unfold. Age is very good for this type of thing. It began for real in 1988. . . when radio and TV talk shows (on stations owned by huge political corporations) starting using fear, 
telling people that half of us were trying to undermine America by doing things like getting rid of Christmas (which is the MOST ridiculous thing I ever heard, no one ever wanted to do that, breaks my heart to think anyone would believe it), that our leaders, our media, were “not to be trusted” — that only THEY could be trusted. And guess what, fear worked! And radio talk proliferated, and moved to television. This kind of media, with their 24/7 brainwashing, was allowed because of a change in the law called the Fairness Doctrine in 1987. Turns out the people doing the talking were cheating on their wives, having affairs in bathroom stalls in airports, were addicted to 
drugs, yet the very things they would blame on “others.” They told us Obama wasn’t born in this country. They said he is a muslim (as a fear tactic). These days they are starting to call this Fake News. They’ve lied to us a thousand times, and yet, for some reason (due to a myriad of personal experiences) many of us believe them, and, slowly, over the years, we have allowed them to tear us in two. Because there wasn’t anything we could say. We couldn’t stop them, they gained strength and filled the airwaves with this stuff. Now it’s all over social media. Families are being torn apart, friendships are ending, violence is occurring. It’s not getting better, and no one knows what to think. Or, we think we do.
I used to imagine it didn’t matter who became president, because if I turned off the news, I couldn’t see how it made an actual difference to my life. Sun still came up, trash was picked up in same big trucks, street lights still worked. Then two things occurred. First, 
good paying jobs began going to other countries where people could work for a lot less. Our little towns were robbed of our small businesses, some look like ghost towns now, because they could not compete with large corporations such as Walmart who bought everything cheaply-made from foreign countries. (And, to be fair, we forgot to notice that we supported them by flocking to their stores.) In my art licensing business, in the years just after 2000, so many manufacturers closed, I was no longer able to license my products, the jammies, or the 
dishes, the way I used to…there was no one to make them anymore. All the money that used to go into the hands of small bookstores, publishers, editors, printers, authors, PR people, and agents, and most importantly, their families (who spent that money supporting other small businesses), now goes into the hands of just one person, Jeff Bezos, who owns Amazon. Yes, a billionaire is born every minute, to the exclusion of the rest of us. Everyone was affected by this mass abandonment by our government and big business who had gotten their successes on our backs. Our middle class was having the rug pulled out from under it. It was going away. ALL of us felt it! Then they had the nerve (and greed) to invent Black Friday and open stores on Thanksgiving (no, young ones, Black Friday is NOT an “American Tradition” despite that they tell us it is). There was a time when corporations felt a duty toward the country and the people that supported them. But no more. We’re losing our American way of life. We’re all in the same boat, together, the people on the coasts, the mid-west, the south, the coal miners, the manufacturing towns. And we put up with it. But we are mad. And media and the powers that be used our anger to divide us even further. It’s not US, it’s THEM.
Then in 2008, the banks walked away with all our money, they foreclosed on us and our neighbors who had done nothing more but applied for and were granted a loan from a bank, and walked away with retirements and pensions. Zip, too bad, gone. They were bailed out with OUR TAX MONEY (but not any for the foreclosed-upon), and the powers that be did absolutely NOTHING about it, news media did nothing, talk news ignored it. I have never 
been so upset with government in my life. Someone should have gone to jail. Someone should still go to jail. None of my friends got through it unscathed. It’s become much harder for everyone to make ends meet. It’s not just you. It’s not just your imagination. We are all worried sick about what will happen to us when we get too old to work, or if we get really sick. Most of us, including me, now work for nothing most of the time, and 
steal money from the retirement funds we’ve managed to put by, to make ends meet, still trying our best, adapting, the only way we know how. New graduates from colleges and universities are hurting, young people saddled with massive debt that the government gets interest on (btw, university in France and other countries is free, we could most definitely have that too, if it wasn’t for the large faction of our legislators that are trying to convince us now that we don’t need a Department of Education in this country) and these kid’s lives have a hopelessness to them that we never felt. These are our children, and words such as “Liberal” or “Conservative,” used as poison darts have NOTHING to do with it. Some things should not be politicized. They have undermined our beautiful American middle class. There is plenty of money in this country, it’s OUR money, and our government officials, corporations and media are using it to enrich themselves, through changes in laws, tax codes, and sadly, war. It’s our money, it should be used to make America better.
I hope I haven’t lost any of you. I want more than anything to figure a way to bring us together. I speak right out of a broken heart. There is common ground in every single subject and we are so sensible, and so like minded, kindred spirits can always, always find a way. 💙 But not unless we can see the truth that we are being used, divided, and conquered. 
Who’s in charge, who are the powers that be, who are the ruling class in this country? It’s not just the President, or congress, it’s the guys behind the scene, it’s the CEO of Walmart 
and every large corporation in America, the heads of CNN, CBS, FOX, oil companies and insurance companies, drug companies, chemical companies, bankers, and all their lobbyists that work behind the scenes making sure the laws are written to make them richer and happier. It’s the media and talk radio that have realized that they become richer and more powerful by separating us. And they are willing to say 
anything to do it. They tell us they are the “true news,” the only believable ones, and they use fear, the cruelest of all, that Isis (or whatever the fear is because they make up tons of them) is coming into YOUR town to GET YOU, and that they are the only ones that can save us. They tell us that people (the other, who just might be your family member or your next door neighbor) who disagree with them are Godless, or hicks, or racist, violent, or anything they want and tell stories to back it up. Problem is, it’s legal to say 
anything in this country. You can go in, make a fake newspaper, put a fake article in it, put it on your website, all fake and newspapery-like and say it’s true. And it’s really hard to tell the difference between fake and real these days. And some websites are so inflammatory, using despicable language, frightening everyone into fearful action, when what is needed is slow, thoughtful contemplation based on truth and fact. We don’t trust anything anymore. Friends and families are being torn apart by these lies, and our country is being torn asunder from within. Our beautiful country. I know this is strong, but I don’t care, I call this treason.
Imagine a town meeting: I’m sure many of you have attended them, so you recognize the process: the town identifies a need, a water system or stop sign at the corner of Park and Main, something. So they hash it over in the most boring way possible, what’s the best way to get what they need, how do they find the money for it, etc…and then, the town votes, and they SOLVE the problem between them, and the water system gets updated, the stop sign gets put in, and the town is better.👏
Your national government should work exactly the same. But if half the people refuse to deal with the other half, nothing gets done, your air turns dirty, your water becomes poisoned, your health care is taken away, your education system gets dismantled, your bridges fall down, regulation goes away so big business doesn’t have to tell you what additives they put in your food or how much lead is in your water. And who benefits from all that? Because definitely someone does, and it isn’t us.
We have to work together. Because there is a way to bring America back together, but not with all this name calling and fake news. And saying it’s okay because the other guy did it first, doesn’t help. The buck must stop with each of us. Turn off the radio. 
Just say no. Don’t believe everything you hear. If there is an issue, follow it through to see who is benefiting from the divisions it causes. A very good place for that is C-Span, it’s a little boring because it sticks to facts, but it lets you see all sides of issues and decide for yourself. It doesn’t lie. Your presence in your government doesn’t end with your vote for president. Watch your congress. Watch them like hawks. Don’t let anyone TELL you what they do, see it for yourself. Many of them (not all!!!) are selling us out. Doing NOTHING for the people, giving all our tax dollars to the lobbyists for the large corps. We are alike, we are Americans, we sink or swim together, and what we provide for our fellow citizens through laws we all work to make together, in jobs, healthcare, affordable housing, clean water, the best education, internet and hospitals for small towns not only brings up our country, it brings up our children, and it brings up the world.
We are being kept apart by an evil force that we need to join together to fight. Please, 
believe in each other, please don’t believe in these voices using us for, when it comes right down to it, money. They take our tax money and give it to each other, while we are fighting about stupid things, they manage not to spend it on the things we want, those schools, those roads, a VA that works for our lost and suffering veterans . . . they ignore us completely, pay lip service, and all the money, OUR money, goes to wars that we don’t want or ask for, to make up for the taxes that corporations don’t pay. And at this point in time the 
ruling class, media, government and corporations are in cahoots against we the people.
Not to throw out the baby with the bath water, because there are several wonderful politicians/people who are in it for all the right reasons. Of course these good ones are first to be demonized by the media. A politician that they can’t control is a bad one as far as they are concerned and has to go. If one of them chooses to vote for gun control, the NRA does everything in its considerable power to unseat that person no matter what his or her other achievements 
have been. The NRA, therefore, runs our country, not us. (And don’t go crazy here, nobody and I mean nobody, wants to take away everyone’s guns, that’s another lie, but who needs machine guns in the hands of crazy people or children? Lovely to be in England where people don’t have guns, and go to the movies, and be perfectly sure that no one will begin to mow everyone down.) And yes, politicians with that kind of bravery, who put their jobs on the line for doing the right thing, are few and far between. We should find the good ones, check backgrounds, find out what they’ve stood for, and bring them forward. It’s not what they SAY, it’s what they DO. But if our elected officials divide us, refuse to work on behalf of the country we love, we should vote them out of office.
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Americans are WONDERFUL friendly, hard working, generous, creative people. Don’t believe ANYONE who tells you differently. Our country does not have to be made great again, it is already the greatest country on earth. This bit about some of our United States being filled with “hicks” and some filled with “elites” makes me sick, they are doing this to separate us and we are letting them.
We have to outsmart them. If the media outlet you’re listening to tells you your neighbor thinks you are stupid, laugh in their face and say, “You must think I’m stupid if you think I believe that malarky.” 
If they tell you, “They don’t think like you,” “or those people are baby killers,” or “Christianity is under attack,” be aware that these are total and complete lies, they make it all up because our laws say they can and no one can stop them. If they blame Mexicans, Jews, African Americans, Iranians, Muslims, whoever, it’s because they want to separate us. Remember, Timothy McVeigh who blew up the Murrah building in Oklahoma City was a white Christian American. Terrorists come in all colors and from all countries. You and your neighbor are in the exact same boat, and the powers that be want to OWN the boat and will SINK it if they have to. Government has limits. It’s not supposed to be in charge of religion (they honestly don’t care about it, they use it to divide), it’s supposed to be in charge of roads.
Trump was appealing because he sounds like change, and at least he spoke to our total national frustration with the ruling class that shipped our jobs off-shore (even though he manufactures all his products in China), and let the banks walk away with our national treasure, foreclosing on people (hardworking citizens of this country) to whom they had approved loans because they thought they could get away with it (then blaming it on them), and the truth is WE ALL FEEL THAT WAY, no matter WHO we voted for. We all feel the need for change. But, unfortunately, electing this divisive man, a billionaire who told us that if he lost, the election would have been rigged, thereby inviting violence between the American People, for whom he was purporting to work, was not the answer. It is the saddest day America has ever seen. It’s the loss of presidential nobility, honor, honesty, integrity, truth, justice and the American way I lament. 😥 I know some of you disagree with me, and you have every right to do that, and write about it on your own blogs. But you can’t disagree with some of the things he has said and done. I see the election of Trump as the culmination of massive amounts of misinformation coupled with total frustration at the system. Everyone has a right to vote they way they see fit. Remember, I’m still here in England. I JUST basically woke up to this, and I’m torn apart. What has happened to us? There has to be more to this than meets the eye, this wall building that Mexico’s going to pay for, this “Lock Her Up” rhetoric, I don’t believe he will do these things. It will unfold. If Trump puts people in his cabinet that are on the side of We the people, I will be thrilled and happy. But if it ends up as all deal-maker conmen billionaires, heads of corporations that have been running this country for years anyway, I will be heartbroken even further than I am now. 
Yes, we desperately needed change and Hillary should have said, “I will jail the people that stole our national treasure, I will stop us from subsidizing corporations for taking our jobs overseas (that money will go to rebuild our infrastructure and fix health care), and I will raise taxes on corporations. I will work for the people.” Obama, instead of trying to “make nice” when he got into office, should 
have had opened a huge investigation into the banks. Banks should have been broken up. Drug makers should go to jail for overcharging us. Insurance companies should be prosecuted for not being there when we need them. But he wanted to soften the rhetoric between the parties, so instead he went to work saving the auto industry … he tried to be a healer, but the congress had vowed not to work with him, and in the end, he missed the boat. Hillary is also more of a hawk than I would personally like. She voted for that ruinous war we were lied into. But at least I know her as an honorable person. Despite the fake stories, she is not a murderer, she has worked hard all her life to make a better world. At least she tried to talk about roads and schools and children’s health. And, sadly, the powers that be (which even includes foreign governments like Putin) would rather see a man in office, no matter how inappropriate he might be, than any woman. Tons of manipulation went into that. (And now Melania Trump is in the crosshairs. She’s not evil either, and neither is Michelle Obama.)
But our country was so upset, we needed change so badly, we’ve been lied to and manipulated so much in this post-truth world, we forgot our core values as defender 
against tyranny, champion of the little guy, equality and justice for all. If you see an article beginning with, “Sources have told us . . . that so and so is sick, dying, meeting with the KKK, in a rage, falling apart . . . whatever . . . be suspicious. What sources? Never forget, they can say anything. The unvarnished truth is the only way we can make a better world. We need to know. There was a huge discussion on BBC here yesterday about false information coming from Facebook. We can’t let the forces of evil take over the world. We need new foot soldiers to join in the fight against the misinformation they are using to control us. If you think it’s all one side or the other, you are wrong.
We grew up in our lovely middle class world believing in the American Dream, and this includes Hillary Clinton, who is my age and remembers it the way it was, is a good mom and a hard worker, and since I’ve been around long enough to watch it unfold, I have to tell you, she is the most investigated person in the history of this country. It’s been almost constant since I first heard her name. Looking back, ever since Rush Limbaugh began calling her a femi-nazi in the early 90s (because she wanted to help fix health care and the powers that be didn’t want that, because it would change the status quo, i.e. their pocketbooks, follow the money Insurance and drug companies), she has been demonized. I don’t know how she’s stood it. She’s a brave person, and in my opinion, she stood it for us. Despite our congress spending millions of dollars of OUR tax money on the best and the brightest lawyers hired to prove something against her (should have spent it on reopening the mental health facilities in this country that were closed in 1982), she has never been charged … not with the murder they said she committed, nor any of the “crimes” they say she did. Because accusing someone of something is perfectly legal ~ totally reprehensible, without integrity or honor, but legal, and lucrative. And if you put them through hell and find out they did nothing, too bad for them. If she was guilty of something, she would be in jail. Obviously the system, despite Trump’s lie, is not “fixed” — or, for example, Donald Trump would not be president. He was willing to say that, to shout LOCK HER UP, to incite violence (because he never had any intention of locking her up, he knew she’d never been charged with anything), even to bring this country to civil war, in order to win. Donald Trump, supposed outsider, was not the answer. He is the ruling class (and so is Hillary, btw). Before he 
ran for president, he was a pro-choice, bonafide card-carrying Democrat who invited Hillary to his wedding in order to court her for whatever he wanted voted for, now he says he’s a Republican and he’s vowed to lower corporation taxes from 35% to 15%. But we have no idea, none of us really know what he will do; he will say anything because what he really is is an opportunist. He’s the art of the deal. He would have done anything to win, and he did. Now we are going to have a government run by his children. Please God. Common sense tells us this is not good. Yes, we needed a shake up. But the damage that can be done in four years can actually never be undone. We can never take back the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, the costs associated that we paid for, we can never bring all those soldiers back to life, we can never take back what the banks were allowed to do to us. And if it’s bad for us, you can only imagine how hard it is on people of color.
One thing I know for sure, the enemy is not your neighbor. Look at the faces in these photos and ask yourself, who benefits from reduction of corporate taxes, reduction of 
death taxes, and who profits from war? Because people do, and those people aren’t us. Who benefits when there is no regulation or weak regulations on car safety or safety of our food or water so they can make it cheaper, faster, using slave labor? Who profits when they advertise disgusting drugs on TV that none of us ever heard of? Who benefits if the legislative process is stymied? Do you think that oil companies want us to believe in global warming? Heck, no. Standard Oil started calling it a hoax 40 years ago. Kids gun down their classmates with AK47’s and we’re scared when we’re told that “libs” want to take away our first amendment rights, who benefits from that 
lie? Us, our kids, or gun manufacturers? Who benefits when we fight each other over gun control or Obama Care? Everything is fixed to benefit them, not us, and in this, Trump was right: the system IS rigged against us, but not the way he says it is. When we fight, they get away with it. It’s our NOT ALLOWING them to divide us that can save us. Can we do it? I don’t know. We’re in 
so deep. The yelling on Twitter breaks my heart, moms screaming at other moms. And the powers that be are loving every moment of it. I mean, how better to sell a newspaper than the screaming headline VIOLENCE ENSUES OVER ELECTION. And some media outlets say the violence is coming from the right, and some say it’s coming from the left, and the only thing we know for sure, when they do this, they win and we lose. We’re being used. They would rather we don’t vote at all actually, they make it harder and harder for us to do so, and when media made both candidates seem so unpalatable, when they decided issues didn’t matter, many people stayed home and didn’t vote at all!!!! Perfect. Just the way they like it.
See this photo? This is a room full of Girlfriends who have EVERYTHING in common. We can be mad, but not at each other, let’s be 
mad at them! Some of you may like what I’ve written here, some of you may see it as political, some of you may wonder why I didn’t write it before the election. Now I wish I had. If my dad was still alive he would have made me, but, sadly, I no longer have his sage advice. I’m on my own. Although I’ve paid close attention to politics over the years, I’ve never been a political person, I’ve believed that goodness would always just automatically win. I have a vision of a strong, inclusive America. Some of you might agree with me that our divisions are not real, but are caused by influences from within, from the powers that be who have everything to gain by keeping us separate and off message, if you do, pass this blog around, because we need all the help we can get. Some of you might decide I’m the enemy and never come to my blog again. So be it. Let the chips fall where they may. Many tears have been shed over the choice of best words here, maybe I didn’t do it perfectly, but please, never doubt one thing, my sincerity for the outcome: Us. Together. Forever. One country, one world.🌎
He drew a circle that kept me out, heretic rebel a thing to flout, but love and I had the wit to win, we drew a circle that took him in. 💖
I’ve said my piece. Now back to our regularly scheduled programming.
We’re on our way home! We leave England on Saturday, via the Queen Mary 2, back to America across the deep blue sea. It’s been wonderful beyond words and I wrote it all down in my diary.✍🏼 And don’t worry, my blog will come back in its same old homemaking celebratory way because that’s my heart and it’s almost Christmas🎄, and despite everything, I was born with the happy gene and I know I’ll come out of this. I could probably go on all day, but I believe I have entertained you long enough.💞
The challenge for us all is to not allow what is going on to change how we treat others…with kindness and understanding…I did not vote due to always being called to jury duty every time I voted and being not able to do that anymore due to my physical problems and having to wait with baited breath to be excused after pestering my doctor to write a letter etc. But I was dismayed by the lack of choice this time too…so hard to think in a country our size that no better people were up to be voted upon. But there has been so many lies, the main media is very good at it…how do we recover from all that they have said and done? The fact is that a man’s word is no longer his bond, in so many cases. I read something from a friend…from an article…that pointed out even though JFK was such a bad moral person in his personal life, he did things that actually kept our enemies at bay…and how maybe once again a person without a lot of morals may indeed keep our country safe. Strange things can happen. One thing I learned, having all brothers, was that bluffing was indeed paramount to peace and safety!! If they THOUGHT I might retaliate bad enough, they behaved better. I did a lot of bluffing with them. I also think people sometimes change from what they were in the past. I do hope Mr. Trump has grown up (he acts and talks on those old tapes just like about 99% of the men my hubby had to serve with in the submarine Navy). I think we cannot really see nor understand exactly what has happened to our country in our lifetime (the “powers that be” are not the ones we see really…one person could not do all the good or bad they are reported to do…and how can we tell really?) I have read a lot of historical things the last few months…on past presidents…and really? Amazing that we are still a somewhat intact nation, if you go on how they were in their personal lives!!! The only thing I know to do is to refuse to be like those I do not like and to be the best possible person I can to everyone I have contact with…what else can one person do?? And those of us who believe in GOD need to talk to HIM a bit more maybe?? And trust that things can work out better than we think. I appreciate that you want to gather others in and be community, Sue. Tis precious little of that out there where I have lived. It is very welcome!! Who knows what effect that could have on general society if we can find ways to “gather in others”?
Simply, I believe we are being controlled with misinformation. That’s my message, how people decide to go forth, is truly up to them. Love your thoughts Elizabeth. xoxo
There’s misinformation on ALL sides!
Please unsubscribe me from all. Thank you
I’ll miss you, but I understand. You’ll have to unsubscribe yourself, however, it can’t be done from our side.
You are on the right track, Susan. Our media is controlling us and it is not a good thing.
Yeah like misinformation from the ny times. Who are you to decide what is the truth. You are a typical liberal. You know best, right? You are very condescending.
Look around. See all the vitriol? We didn’t used to be like this. Who profits from it when we hate each other? Follow the money. Now you can be condescending too.
very well said
Susan, I love you and nothing will ever change that. But I couldn’t read all of this blog. I’ve done a lot of research on Mrs. Clinton and she is a very dishonest person. I’m just going to say one more thing and you don’t need to comment on it – President Trump made those comments eleven years ago and has openly repented. I’m sure he would agree with one of MY personal favorite statements:. “Don’t judge me by my past, I don’t live there anymore.” Love from Mary S. in Fresno, CA
He said them, and of course he had to repent, when he was caught, in order to be elected. For me, that he said that, even more, that he DID that, told me everything I needed to know. I’m kind of strict that way.
Amen.
I love you too, Susan, but I agree with Mary S. I also think about what Bill Clinton did and lied about while he was president and cannot forget it when I see him on TV; I don’t know what the future will bring, but I do think that our government needed to change for the better…..and I’m hoping it did. I couldn’t finish your blog either, pleeeeese don’t talk politics again……some of us like Trump and some of us don’t……on the other hand, some of us liked Obama and some of us don’t……right now it’s a very sensitive subject. By the way, he wasn’t “caught”……someone worked awfully hard to find some dirt on him and they did…… that was it….. none of us are perfect. What people “say” and what people “do” can be two different things…….So very disappointed that you vented on your blog.
They have used the Clintons to drive a wedge between us ever since Hillary tried to work on health care in the 90s. Bill wasn’t running for office. But he is like an open wound for so many.
Susan, I’m in total agreement with you. I have read this blog and you have echoed my thoughts and feelings. I have never felt such a deep despair as I do now. The world is suddenly a very different to live in. I applaud your courage in writing this as I knew it was not easy. My admiration for you has grown.
But what about her lies and what she did while holding office?
I am kind of strict about honesty.
First off, he grabbed women by their private parts. That is separate from Hillary. He did that…
Holding office, like Senator from New York? They LOVE her there. Doesn’t that mean anything? She won New York. They love her because she worked herself silly for them. As I’ve said, there has been a campaign of lies against Hillary since the 1990s. That’s a long time. But they aren’t true. Have never been true.
And Bill Clinton had sex IN THE OVAL OFFICE with an intern and Hillary condoned that because she had a game plan to run for president and Bill helped her in that endeavor.
She did not condone it, it about killed her. Please. More divisive misinformation. Do you think it’s normal to be cheated on by your husband and like it? No one does that.
She won NY TWICE. She’s been honored as the MOST ADMIRED WOMAN in the WORLD 20 times and more. Where is the disconnect? Someone is not telling the whole truth. She is not perfect, but she will never be found guilty in a court of law. They have proven that with all the investigations… spent millions, found nothing.
And Trump never had any intention of sending her to jail. He just used it. Like so much else.
She lied too much for me but Trump treated women in a disrespectful way. I find his daughters to be very close to him but still could not get past him being that way (as was Bill Clinton). So, I voted third party. The Dems and Repubs are too partisan to govern effectively. I hope the oldsters (my piers) leave and let a new generation try and do better. A third of the voters are not affiliated to any party. That may help in the future. God Bless America.
My local government operates efficiently and crime is low so I have that to feel good about.
I have not written to you before although I read your blogs and love your stuff. This is the angriest election I have ever been part of. I know we don’t like everything that Hillary has ever done but at least she has always been involved. I would love to someday say I was wrong about the Donald but I fear that a leopard doesn’t change his spots.
Amen and Amen. To me, he is an evil man who should never have power over a group of people.
I agree…it is so simple to say he I’d l this year ago…were my eyes deceiving me when be shook his body in his dispickable imitation of a reporter with a health issue,or telling people they can go f!!!,themselves,or,pick out people that don’t fit the movie star beauty, and,say they just don’t have a good fit. In all the years you voted,which president shared this gutter talk….how do you tell your kids not to act like this..or do YOU?????
I agree with you. No one seemed to have an issue with it 11 years ago. What Hillary has done, she should be prosecuted.
What I meant to say, is that I agree with Mary S.
For what? That is one of the lies I speak of. You believe she should be, but she has committed no crime. Just because someone says she has, doesn’t make it true. What if someone said that about you? And kept saying it. And chanted it?
Amen. Thank you Susan Branch. Voice of reason.
Hi – Its unbelievable that someone would think Hillary’s emails are more important that ALL things that Trump said and did through out his campaign. And then to top it off we have a video of him saying what he does to women. I don’t get it and I never will. I am actually shocked and saddened that our country must be in SO much pain that they voted for him. The pain must be so strong that they went for him. Its also SO embarrassing to tell my friends oversees that America voted for a person that let his followers say and he encouraged daily through his tweets “crooked Hillary” and he even mocked a disabled person . That alone is a disqualifier. My president should be respectful for ALL people. Hillary wasn’t/isn’t perfect but she didn’t do anything like what Trump did. Again, its UNBELIEVABLE. We just stepped back in time and I’m praying that at some point America sees it and gets it and gets him out.
she endangered the safety of our beautiful country by making our state department secrets available to anyone who can hack! and every country can and many did. Our president elect is going to do some of what you ask for, bringing business back to our country.. you are not really listening!
Ditto
I’ve searched for the answer to your “for what?” question…can’t find it. Even the lies are missing. It seems to be just a big empty statement. Can’t find a rational sentence of what crime she actually ‘committed’!
I’m still in shock that we have the electoral college..I have to review it every election because I just can’t seem to understand why it is tolerated. The ‘people’ voted…and Trump didn’t win!
You really should read the book, Clinton Cash by Peter Schweitzer. You may think that is all lies, too, I guess.
Actually, it’s not just something someone has said, it’s her herself. She made statements to the American people, and then she made statements to the FBI. When they interviewed Comey about her statements, every statement that was asked him, “Did Hillary say this?” “Yes.” “Is that true?” “No.” “Did Hillary say this?” “Yes” “Is that true?” “No.” Over and over and over, she lied. We all watched it on TV, at least I did. They knew she lied but they let her go.
We are being used.
Well, the Director of the FBI stated he wouldn’t assign an investigator, however her actions were inappropriate, and careless. I too, want the America that our founding fathers designed but we are a far cry from it now. The blame lies with both parties. I read your entire article and some of it I agree with but some I do not. Hillary Clinton is not an honorable person. If she has done so much for children why is she willing to endorse late term abortions? I’m sorry Susan, I too want the America of yesterday but I think it is gone forever because we choose to be a society of anything goes and everything has to be acceptable to everyone or you will be assigned a label. We are suppose to be a republic for the people and by the people, but so many want big government and have the government pay for everything. News flash…we are the government. I will continue to pray for America.
With all due respect, would you please look deeply into Hillary’s stance on abortion? It’s much more complicated than just black and white, and not believing that a whole group of your fellow Americans enjoys killing babies, would be a big help toward solving this problem. And know that abortion is way down from what it used to be, thank God. I understand you speak from your heart and I honor that, but the powers that be USE abortion to separate us, and honestly they could not care a bit about it. They just use it.
If those who investigated her ad infinitum couldn’t find anything to indict her for, then I find it hard to believe there were any crimes.
Please stop talking politics!! Your views are not the same as some of your “fans” and, honestly, this is very disheartening that you brought it all up in your blog…..the only place that makes us happy…..totally (I thought).
You are so right, Susan! This is the misinformation that simply cannot seem to be dislodged. Why? Jealousy of another woman’s success? Why? Like you, I do not sleep as I wonder where America is heading?
Take your own advice please. Just because linerals say it does NOT make it true
There has never been a conviction despite about a hundred years of investigation. Doesn’t that say something to you? Could it be that they just say that to keep you from voting for her? Is that even possible?
Michelle, You are displaying exactly the result of what Susan is talking about. Your responses aren’t dialogue, they aren’t debate. They are filled with hatred and vitriol. And I don’t understand it. If there is something that she said that you don’t believe, why not ask where she got the information, or better yet, dig deep and do your own homework to find out truth, not just what media tells us to believe. “If we hear it enough we’ll believe it.” I don’t. I need to educate myself. I refuse to be filled with hatred. You should maybe think about that, too. Be nice.
No matter who won this election, we all lose until we see how we are being divided, that’s the real story. xoxo
Susan’s message to us all is to please cast a wider net for the truth than your usual, familiar news sources. When you do you will start to see the difference between fake/slanted propaganda and fact-based reporting. And if you really did that would you be ready to open your mind? If what you believed turned out to be propaganda, would you have the humility to reset your beliefs EVEN IF those around you were still believing the propaganda? Would you have the strength to switch the channel and consider listening to the truth more often, and do the digging necessary to get to the real story? I promise you that the bubble of misinformation that pits us against each other and made Hillary’s emails more egregious than trump’s racism and misogyny and lack of qualifications is the real problem and that hate based media is driving good people apart. If there’s even a chance that you have fallen for misinformation, don’t you owe it to yourself to look into it?
Amen Mary, It’s really easy for these people who live in their upper crust white neighborhoods to spout off all this “Love talk and total acceptance of everything”. But the reality is they don’t live in inner city area’s where you can’t go shopping, or take a walk, or sit on porch and enjoy your hard earned accomplishments because somebody is always there to take it, by home invasion, car jackings, being held up grocery shopping the list could go on and on. So save your your pathetic crying and whinning you are soooo scared because of this election. You have nothing to complain about.
They have us blame the other, and do nothing about it, take our jobs, our retirement funds, even our homes.
I agree with Mary, very well said. Mrs. Clinton lost the election when she defended partial birth abortion – killing a baby up to the moment she is born! That was a deal breaker for most Christians.
Abortion is a HUGE subject, and they have used that to divide us since day one. But here’s one thing I’ve thought of…because I wondered how the two sides could be so far apart. And one day I realized, they were arguing two totally different things. One side was saying, we should not kill babies . . . and the other side was saying, no one should tell us what to do with our bodies. Two totally different arguments, that don’t fit with one another. Because, for example, I agree, we should not kill babies, but I also agree, government should not tell women what to do with their bodies. The one thing we ALL agree on, common ground like there is with everything, no one likes abortion. We should go from there. We agree on that 100%. I don’t think Hillary “likes” 3rd term abortion, who would? I think she tackles the subject by making sure women have health care and DON’T GET PREGNANT. Because she knows when there is no safe abortion, women die, children lose their mothers.
Love this Susan – thank you for explaining it so well ^^
Amen, Susan. Thank you.
I sure wish there were a “Like” button!
xoxo I’m feeling it!
They aren’t two different arguments. Killing is killing, it’s just a matter of “choosing” when. You mention 9/11 in slow motion- that’s a pretty apt description of abortion, not an election.
Honor the fact that there ARE two different arguments.
I agree with Susan Richmond. I also believe the babies would like a say about what will be done to their bodies and given a chance to live.
No one likes abortion. If you got 10 women in a room, started with the premise that we agree we hate abortion, figure out how to reduce it, help people not to get pregnant in the first place. Because in the history of the world, there has always been abortion, and there always will be. No government legislation will stop it. And unless it is safe and clean (and rare), desparate women will die and children will no longer have their mothers. We can come together to make it rare. But that’s not why they bring it up, they bring it up in the way they do, to divide us, to rig things for themselves, and while we’re fighting with each other, they steal all of our treasure. They make you believe that people out there LOVE Abortion, are PRO abortion. Not true.
That never happens unless the baby is very malformed. A nine month abortion is called BIRTH! There are no abortions performed after 20 weeks, and you will not be forced to have one so it will not affect your life. Your beliefs cannot be forced on anyone else. That is the crux. If you voted for Trump, in my book, you are not a Christian. It’s like voting for Hitler.
Killing a baby up to the moment she is born just does not happen. Ask any ob/gyn. That is a ridiculous lie. Talk to a woman who has had to have a late term abortion because her baby has died in utero, or who has been told that the baby will be born with such severe deformities that it will live its short life in terrible pain. Why is this so hard to understand?
That’s the problem, slogans have taken over debate … nothing ever is simply black and white.
Thank you Mary S.
I so agree Mary!! Those comments were made 11 years ago. Susan, would you want to be judged on things you did 11 years ago? I wouldn’t. And I would still take this man as my president over Hillary ANY day! Anyone who is willing to take the life of a baby at the time of birth, (or any other time as well) is NOT someone that cares for children. I gave up on this blog as well when I could see where and what and who you believe. I love you as well, but I believe the Obama’s did their part in causing this division, and as you can see, he is doing NOTHING to bring it under control. When he could stand up for a thug like Michael Brown and not a police officer that lays his life on the line every day to serve and protect something is really wrong. I guess we will just have to agree to disagree, because I really disagree with most of your thoughts on this. Give this new President a chance, there will be plenty of time to judge him after his 4 years.
Mary,
I had to stop reading this post, too. I will try to come back to it, but I have serious doubts. If I want to read politically commentary I can find it. I do not follow this blog, or knitting blogs, or quilting blogs to be upset by the ugliness and disagreement in this world. I come to this blog to feel posititive and hopeful, not for more of what I can find easily on television!
We had our chance to make our opinions known, thoughtfully, lawfully, civilly on November 8. The people have spoken. Hardworking, faithful, law-abiding, patriotic, family-raising citizens voted for our new PRESIDENT. We were not voting for the next SAINT, or POPE, or PERFECT PERSON. We chose someone we believe will respect our constitution, respect life and respect the law.
In a nutshell, Trump is crass, but Hillary is corrupt. That’s what I kept in mind as I cast my vote, along with the support of military families whose opinion I hold above most everyone.
Agree. I voted based on my concern for future appointments of “Supremes” and did not want HRC involved in that. I was relieved on election night and watched every moment. People forget that when Pres. Trump made that grabby comment so long ago, he was speaking in a way that implied consent because there are women who will allow it from a man of power. And this is certainly true. He said, “They let you do it.” I think people will be surprised at the job Pres.Trump does for this county. I find it hard to believe that so many women support HRC even knowing her history – surely they wouldn’t support he just because she IS a woman. That’s as bad as voting against her just because she is a woman.
He was 59 when he made that comment.
Many men make similar comments when in the company of other men. It doesn’t make it right, it just makes it what it is. He wasn’t in politics at the time and to hold such contempt over this statement is a bit much considering all that Hillary and Bill Clinton have done TO America.
Please.
It is very hard to reply to this, Susan, but it is beautifully written, comes from your heart and speaks directly to mine. What has happened is going to affect the world for four years, and beyond. What happened in Britain in June is going to have long lasting ramifications too. Our world has gone to “you know where” in a hand basket, but I believe we will come through this stronger than ever before. It’s a challenge, one that few of us, most of us, have never seen on such a scale but together we can overcome.
We cannot hide our heads over this, it has to be faced and we have to face it together. We must hold on to each other, to love, and to the magic harder than we’ve ever done before.
One thing that disturbs me is the way so many ugly things have reared up out of what has happened both sides of the Pond. Was I naive to think such things were now a thing of the past? Was I that stupid? I’m trying not to think about that. How quickly our world has turned on it’s head, and the clocks back 50 years.
The safety pin as a symbol of solidarity with the persecuted minorities came out of Brexit and I can see that it has crossed to your side of the Pond.
I hope restful and restorative sleep has returned to you!
~~~waving~~~{not from Across the Pond for a few days longer}~~~and holding on to the love and the magic~~~Deb in Wales xoxo
We’re off to Christmas Fair at National Trust’s Waddesdon Manor tonight!!! Very excited!
Thank you Susan for what you’ve written from your heart and soul searching. I value the insight and perspective you’re bringing forth. Also for thinking about all of us here, while you are there in the midst of magic & history in buildings we long to see. You’ve shared it all by taking us along on your journey with you & Joe…& Petey….and for being so concerned when you could so easily put it off to face when you return. xo
I send you my love and my thanks for writing this. I think it was quite brave of you, and our country is going to require that bravery from all of us as we move forward. We must be brave as we stand up and say, “No” when we encounter hateful, divisive words and actions, such as those that are being recorded by the Southern Poverty Law Center and others online in their post-election tally of hate crimes. We must also be brave enough to speak our truths to family members and friends who voted for a man who mocked the disabled, disrespects Gold Star parents, wants to ban an entire religion from entering our country, talks about barging into dressing rooms where he can see naked women and girls without their consent, admits assaulting women “because he can”, the list goes on and on–it’s easy to make the political arguments about lack of preparation for the job, but to approach how someone I care about could vote for a man so coarse, so vile? That will take courage. And compassion, because even as I cannot forget about everyone in this country who feels vulnerable and afraid due to the election of this man, I cannot forget that these are people I love who must have had a reason I cannot comprehend for voting for him.
And while the last week has seen me mostly grief-stricken, reading the news and saying, “They’re burning down our house” with each pronouncement about a Muslim registry or a white supremacist getting an appointment, the time has come for me to do the things that good citizens do: check in with the ACLU (I’m a “card-carrying member”–do you remember when that was an accusation?), find out if the National Popular Vote Interstate Compact is making any headway toward eliminating the Electoral College, write some thank you notes.
And I want to add this about Hillary. I first learned about her back in the late 1980’s, when I heard about her work with Marion Wright Edelman and the Children’s Defense Fund. I thought then, anyone doing that must be a very good person, given her education & position, when she could be doing anything she chose. I didn’t fully understand that working for children and families was her life’s work. But now, all of these years later, it doesn’t surprise me at all to learn that she will be honored on 11/16 on possibly her first public appearance since the election at the Children’s Defense Fund Dinner at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. That’s where her heart has always been.
Getting truth back into our everyday lives is going to be very difficult. We need to work together, but we have to start noticing people who are stealing the American dream from all of us through fake news and misinformation. Thank you for your words Beth.
Beth, I wish I knew you. Bravely written and very thoughtful. Mrs. Clinton is a role model for me and I will continue to support her.
Thank you, Beth, for your calm measured reply. I am taking the same sorts of actions…. Support of ALCU, support of Planned Parenthood, and Electoral College elimination. We all must pay close attention and act accordingly. We cannot sit back and “just” bake cookies, as much as I love to do that.
Thank you Susan, it’s shocking because it was a shocking surprise. After all Nate Silver had Clinton as a 78% probability. the truth is the problem is worldwide (ie. Nigel Farages’ gleeful play for power with May). This is what happens when you have such an extreme disparity in income levels, yes I was an Econ major. So what to do: if you are happy with the election, please be a gracious winner; if you are anxious and sad, ACT to effect a change. Give what time and money you can to groups that will work to protect people and the environment: the ACLU (American Civil librtities Union), the NRDC (National Recources Defense Council), Planned Parenthood, and The Southern Law Povery Center are some great examples. Most importantly, pay for a newspaper subscription to a legitimate and unbiased, reputable source. The Washington Post and the New York Times are examples, we must maintain a FREE press. And newspapers are in jeopardy all over the world, pay the unlimited online access fee, it is so little for so much.
But mostly Susan, please stay happy, stay kind, stay in love with your country and us. Stay you, because you are the brightest light on twitter. Please, please, please, blog often and write another book about your trip. I’ve reread your trilogy twice this week. Lots of love
Wow, people can so cruel (I’ve read through your other replies). Are the cruel people affected by the hatred? Are they minorities or immigrants? They won this election, they need to move on. Besides, everyone I know works in or for the government, meaning this effects our daily lives. You are so brave to write what you think on your blog, this is what makes you so incredible. You are even more patient than I am by responding so kindly. Finally, I really wish I had a long ocean crossing away from the internet in my future. I’ll be thinking of you often.
Please delete these comments. I never realized I was such a liberal and I read way too much. Thank you for this discussion, I understand the other side much better than I did. Unfortunately, I truly believe I’ve lost all stomach for conservative Christians after this. The good news is all three of my kids are confirmed Lutherans and now can make up their own minds. But thank you, Susan, for honestly providing a forum for outreach. You’ve done all you can. Shame on anyone who thinks less of you for honesty, especially as they condemn others for willful and/or strategic deceit.
Susan,
This is so well said. The hate that divides our country, as well as the complete ignorance of much of our population, was clearly to our detriment this election. My hopes and prayers for the next four years is to love as much as I can and do everything I can to make sure my voice is heard. I know it’s not much, but in these uncertain times, it’s all I have.
Much love and safe travels home.
Tim in New Hampshire
Yes. Yes. Yes. We must find a way to stop all the misinformation and lies. Facts used to matter to all of us. Thank you for bravely showing the way.
I don’t think either of them were honorable. I think people see what they want. Perhaps if Hillary won you would have sipped your tea and you would have been fine. But I for one would have been up all night worrying about our country and where it was going. There were so many bad things about Trump, but I think most of us were aware of that. But with Hillary, I think people turned a blind eye to her corruption. Despite my dismay that one of them was going to win, I am hopeful that things will get better.
WELL DONE SUSAN! I have been checking your blog, wondering what you and Joe over there in England have been thinking about your elections results. Now I know.
That is the longest, most heart felt entry ever in your blog and so far whilst only eight replies, but they too are the longest replies ever posted.
I keep saying “our world has gone mad” whether it be in your country or down here in mine and it frightens me, frightens me for our children, frightens me for our grandchildren. This is not the way life should be. We are all good people. Governments now don’t listen to the people. They don’t seem to have backbone.
Thank you for your words and for the courage to put them out there and for the tears and frustrations that brought about your response.
So glad you enjoyed your English adventure again. I trust there will be another book as a result.
Once again….the Queen Mary 2 sails down here to Australia. I know from your comments and reading your books, you hate flying, but you could always sail “down under and visit us in the beautiful land of Oz”….the invitation goes out again to you both. Enjoy the last of your holiday, safe sailing home. And thank you again
Dear Susan,
First, I want you to know I agree with everything you said, especially our need to Stand United! But I am a little more hopeful than I think you are. What this election has done has brought the latent racism, and all the other “isms,” to the surface. Right now we’re seeing the boil that has formed. In Good Time it will be lanced, anti-biotics will be administered, and healing will take place. Yes, it will leave a scar–but it will be our reminder to never let this happen again. Just like after 9/11 people were so kind to each other for a whole year. I remember it well. But then everyone settled back into their apathy until the next thing upset their personal space. It’s no wonder we needed this country-wide shake-up. I can’t believe Mr. Trump will be our president for the next 4 years–but unless We Stand United as a peoples he WILL BE. So, I love your message of Let’s Quit Fighting Each Other. Don’t Believe Everything You Read or Hear. Our country went through a devastating Civil War over 250 years ago. Now we are caught up in a Civility War! Are we going to let our government support and encourage this war? NO! We the People, standing together, are the only ones who can make the difference. We the People–US…the United States. We must find the common ground you speak of so lovingly and not let personal fears tear us apart from one another. Fear, after all, is merely False Evidence Appearing Real. Where is President Roosevelt when we need him?! The only thing to fear is fear itself!
I’m mathematically challenged! It turns out the Civil War was only over 150 years ago! Maybe I was wishing it’s been longer since our nation was torn apart. I had ancestors on both sides and right now I have relatives on “both sides.” 😞
Thanks for being brave enough to say what’s in your heart and mind. I agree with you, people need to follow the money, as you say, and see why we’re being manipulated to act in certain ways, and to believe certain things. This election feels like a horrible turning point in our country. I just hope we can do something to keep it from being a permanent situation. We’re better than this. We’re supposed to be the good guys of the world, the ones who fight for freedom and fairness for all.
Love to you, Susan. Will be glad to have you back home after your lovely trip. Obviously we need your kind of positivity and common sense back on this side of the Atlantic. 😉
I hope it was as cathartic writing all this as it is to read it. Thank you. I’m concerned (to say the least) about Thanksgiving dinner get togethers that may implode or explode with heated exchanges . . . :-(. I miss my Dad who had a way of keeping things light in these occasions. Wracking my brains to think how to do it this year. I fear at 82 I won’t see any good outcome in my lifetime. Anyhow that’s how I’m feeling tonight. Someone posted these lovely hopeful lyrics the other day that sooth my frazzled heart:
“Ring the bells that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything
That’s how the light gets in.”
Leonard Cohen
It was all just beyond belief….we’ll have to move on. Can’t wait for more pictures of Scotland and England. This is our Fairy Tale! I hated to leave the UK …there was so much more to see and do. So I do a little dreamin’.
Dear Sue, I cried reading this post. Thanks for having the courage to write it. I wasn’t sure how it would feel having my “special place” (your blog!) open up to such topics. But you handled it with all the grace and strength of a woman. Honestly, I’ve never ever thought of myself as a “feminist”. I never thought of myself as above or below anyone. I’m just me. Equal to you. But this election opened my eyes to just how much dislike people have for one another. I know what you said is true – we’re pitted against eachother. But more than that, I think the higher-ups are just emphasizing what comes naturally to a lot of people: a lot of people don’t think we’re all made equal. I can barely type that. I can barely admit it. I’d really rather bury my head in the sand than think it’s true. But so many people are downright broken-hearted after this election, because we found out that it IS true. I live in a blue state, almost exactly where you were raised in the Valley. I grew up with friends of every creed and color. So it’s no surprise that I grew up knowing we’re all equal. But it’s not that way in every place in this country. And some of us just woke up to this. And it hurts. We’re dealing with that reality now. We don’t even want to accept it. So while I agree with so much of what you wrote, I must note that contrary to what you said, not ALL Americans want others to be free or equal. Sure, we all want happiness for ourselves, but what is truly American is wanting that same happiness for those we least agree with. So maybe it’s better for us to wake up and realize that at present, American IS divided. Otherwise, how can we make the changes necessary to come back together?
Scott Pelley of CBS news did a great piece last week called “are we going to be ok”. He said that this is what our founding fathers had in mind when government stops working (in this case, gridlock). Government is shaken to the core. Do I wish we had other choices? 0f course; but we didn’t. Sixteen years of the Clinton/Obama reign is enough. We need change. None of us can foresee the future; you do your best every day as it comes. We all want the best for our country and have to give Donald Trump a chance. Oh….”are we going to be ok?”………definitely!!
God bless you for having the courage to address this issue. Been on your wonderful trip with you and Joe, following just a few steps behind. I don’t know where the time went…There will certainly be some wet eyes on Saturday. Jack and your cozy home are patiently waiting your return. Safe travels to both of you!
Bravo Susan! I couldn’t have said it better myself. I have been profoundly effected by this election and I have been struggling since last week to come to terms with the outcome. I’ve also realized that we have all been influenced by the storm of misinformation fed to us constantly on social media and in the news and I’ve decided I’m going to try my best to resist it. I realize now, after a very long, soul searching week, that we are going to have to accept the outcome of the election and move forward. I’m trying very hard to do that. I think that our country has a very long and difficult road ahead of us, but I hope we will eventually heal and come together. Keep writing and doing what you do. You are an inspiration to me and a kindred spirit. I wish you and Joe a safe crossing and a wonderful welcome home.
Seeing this from over the sea, it gives quite an insight. They have a quieter news feed here, but it’s the topic of conversation and it all boils down to no one knowing what is going to happen. Thank you dearheart. xoxo
God is in control. All, that I can do is pray and be a good neighbor to all. Love to you and Joe, may the trip home be glorious.
.
I love the proverb, “Pray to God but continue to row toward shore.” It’s got it all! xoxo Thank you Pam.
WHOSE proverb? What proverb? To an uninformed person this sounds so lovely and so ‘just’, you sound so good. You are not. No one is. Not the president elect and neither are you. You are no different than he is in the eyes of God. This is an example of why I will now stop following you or purchasing your books and or art. This has concerned me for some time about you and truly now has made me wide awake regarding you and your ‘Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.’ 2 Timothy 3:5 You have even mentioned God at times in your illustrations yet you don’t reveal who your god is.
I feel your art is subtle yet quite misleading and you are a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
Good grief!
I love that proverb too!
Bravo, Well said, you have pointed the way forward for many. Thank You, Linda
Bravo, Well said, you have pointed the way forward for us. Thank You, Linda
Thank you back. xoxo
I think I have a happy gene too, but the one thing we better have is faith (in God)! I think and hope we will all be OK. Your first pic on the blog is of my oldest daughter, me and my youngest daughter and I think they inherited the happy gene too. Look at those smiles.
Wonderful smiles! xoxo
I’m sure this was very difficult for you to write. Very inspirational! Well said! Have a safe trip home.💞💞
I weighed it back and forth for three days, but it got so I felt I had to, despite so many saying that I shouldn’t. I don’t want to end with blame for one side over the other, I just want credit to go where credit is due. Thank you Paulette.
Oh, Susan, I have missed you. You are so right in all this. What the world needs now, especially here in America, is love sweet love. While reading this, an image popped into my head. There was, years ago a cartoon where two neighbors began bickering. The fighting kept escalating and getting more intense until they were at ware with tanks etc. and as the cartoon ended, the devil was seen rubbing his hands together and laughing and saying “yes, yes, yes”. I hope we can change things around. I want the fear to die down and for us to take care of each other. As an almost 60 year old woman who has had breast cancer, I fear for my future and my ability to afford any kind of life and health care. I want my sweet grandchildren to have the kind of childhood I had, even if I know the world has changed. I want to look at my neighbors and others in my town and smile and wave and know we all want the best for everyone. I don’t watch TV news or listen to radio news, but I feel the divide all the same. Thank you for your input on this. It means so much to me and I’m sure to others. God Bless you and Joe and safe travels home.
The devil rubbing his hands, Yes, that’s what we have with the fake news and the dividers. Your comment was so sweet, I wish you and yours every good thing Charlotte. xoxo
As the body part grabbing incident cemented in your mind Donald Trump was not suitable for the presidency, the basket of deplorables remark from Hillary Clinton had the exact effect on me. It was so offensive that she literally with a gesture waved off millions of good, salt-of-the-earth people she’d never even met, diminishing their personhood by slapping a label on them, thus declaring them of no use to her. She later tried to walk that back, more than once, but the damage was done. Her husband’s meeting with the attorney general on the tarmac was an in-your-face action signaling the Clintons still considered themselves above the law.
In the Georgia primary, I did not vote for Donald Trump. In fact, I was adamantly opposed to both candidates, but ultimately decided to vote against Clinton. I suppose I could go on, but just yesterday I deactivated my Twitter account realizing it was time to decompress from politics.
I have much to do on the home front–re-organizing two closets and preparing for two holiday trips, but right now I’m going to warm my coffee, finish reading your novelette (big smile) and appreciate how much all visiting here love homekeeping, beauty, and the simpler joys of living. Throughout the history of mankind in the worst of situations–wars, humiliations, poverty–nothing has ever stolen this completely from women who intentionally bring beauty and love to those around them. Thank you for doing that for me. I’ve read your latest three books and have a handful of your other books, enjoy your wall calendar each year, and I’m still using the month-of-the-year list paper for groceries.
Peace, joy and goodwill to all!
Really, Hillary’s word upset you more than Trump’s grabbing strange women by their private parts? I honestly did see some very deplorable things happen at Trump rallies, and certainly, the grabbing discussion (and acts) was deplorable, to say the least.
Every day millions of us are told that another millions of us are baby killers and wish to end Christmas, among other things. That’s how the talk has gone, on both sides, and that’s what’s truly deplorable, that we are taken in by it. And as I said, who wins with this? We repeat it back and forth, it gets screamed about, and the powers that be run off with our tax money.
You were not on the Tarmac, anything you think you know is hearsay repeated by people who also don’t know what happened there. Should we believe that Trump met with the KKK? I don’t know, I didn’t personally see it, but once again, it’s fodder, perfect for keeping us divided. We have to say no. I do, when I heard that about Trump I said, oh I hope not, but I won’t believe it until I see it. Love to have you here, Leigh and definitely appreciate your point of view.
Both campaigns had unfortunate incidents and I am content to believe people on the fringe are behind them. On the other hand, a person could bring up rioting, looting and burning which have nothing to do with peaceful protests.
You’re right, I was not on the tarmac and neither were you. Avoiding even the appearance of evil is a good way to conduct one’s self. Mr. Clinton’s meeting with the attorney general while his wife was under investigation could give no other signal than trying to influence an outcome. The timing was atrocious.
Hillary Clinton stood by her husband while he was doing things as despicable as what Donald Trump said. Neither candidate had any room whatsoever to cast moral shade on the other.
It can be whatever you want it to be, or it can be nothing. I can look at Trumps reported relationship to the KKK as horrifying, or I can say to myself, maybe it isn’t true. Always wait. Look. Don’t think these reporters you listen to are some how doing you a favor because they are NOT. They want us riled up so they can own us.
Did you actually expect Hillary to get a U-Haul Truck to back up to the White House, get her stuff, and find a little apartment somewhere (maybe get the media and People Magazine to help her decorate it?), take her daughter, go through a divorce, these records are yours, but I’m keeping the silver pitcher, inside the White House? What are people thinking when they say that? I’ve heard it for years.
And no. The difference is that Bill Clinton was invited in. Trump SAID he was grabbing women he had no relationship with.
The hyperbole in the second paragraph of your reply was a bit over the top. The adulterous incidents were in full swing before the Clintons ever occupied the White House.
I won’t repeat the numerous accusations and lawsuits (some settled not in his favor) brought against Bill Clinton for decades as I believe you are aware of them. I respect loyalty, but not blind loyalty. Each of these candidates were deeply flawed, I’ve no idea how, out of over 300 million people, this is what was coughed up for consideration.
Be aware of your condescending tone. A reporter saying something doesn’t mean all listening will take it as fact without checking other sources. The Twitter account I deactivated was primarily comprised of numerous news sources, both from at home and abroad.
I responded to those who agreed with Trump that Hillary was “horrible” to Bill’s paramours like this: What was she supposed to do, invite them over for tea? Don’t blame the wife because husband was unfaithful. We, as women, should have compassion for each others’ situations.
Yes, I agree that we are all being used! Thank you for saying that.
No matter anyone’s religion (or lack thereof) I hope we can all be inspired by the prayer of St. Francis:
“Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace. Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.” …
Also, my 15-year-old pointed out that a good old-fashioned Bob Ross video couldn’t hurt…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_kkZcIgocBM
<3 <3 <3
I wish you had never started writing about these things. You have a platform and a lot of followers and I believe expressing your side of this thing is stirring up dissension. I love YOU but don’t agree with your beliefs about Hillary. Just a little over half of U.S. voters don’t agree with you. What good is this arguing doing? The election is over. Time to join forces and move on.
Not my side Mary, OUR side. We as a whole, who have been divided and are now suffering the consequences. This is why nothing ever changes in government. Because we are so busy fighting each other, we forget to watch exactly what they are doing. I’m not arguing about who won, I’m noticing how divided our country is and remember that it wasn’t always that way.
You’re a good woman Susan, thank you for being the voice of reason.
Mary, I’m sorry I have to tell you that more people voted for Hillary. Mr. Trump won more electoral college votes. It is apples and oranges.
I cannot find anywhere that Trump DID anything – only that, due to his fame and fortune, he COULD do those things. There’s a huge difference between words Trump said (over a decade ago and then apologized for) and behavior that Bill Clinton engaged in which was NOT invited. Then Hillary enabled this behavior and actually threatened some of his victims. These women have come forward with their stories and Hillary, the self-proclaimed champion of women, demeaned and threatened them. It’s not only that she stayed married to Bill, but she apparently condoned his behavior. How can she claim to be a champion of women when she accepts $$ from 3rd world countries who treat women horrifically? Then there’s Bengazi, where witnesses have testified that she ignored multiple pleas for extra security, leading to their murder! I’ve loved your calendars and books and work for years, but I wish you hadn’t written this divisive post.
He said you can grab them by the p. He said you can. He wouldn’t know that if he didn’t. But the thing is, even to say it. He was 59 years old 11 years ago. A grown up boy.
As for Clinton, read through the comments. Hillary “apparently” condoned his behavior. These are talking points that are used to divide us, once again. They have nothing to do with your children’s health care, their education, your retirement, whether you have clean water to drink … they are used to keep you from paying attention to what is really going on. and to divide us.
Were you there when Bill Clinton was invited in?
No I wasn’t, but Monica Lewinsky was and she told me (and everyone else).
I agree with you Leigh. Both candidates had their issues and we saw many disturbing things. I voted based on my concern for future appointment of Supreme Court Justices. HRC (it is said and the women involved have said on t.v.) was very unkind to them when they accused her husband and it there were threats. One woman has a pet disappear, tires slashed and a stranger walked up and mentioned the safety of her children to her. Trump made the horrid grabby comment but did say “They let you do it” and that is also true of some women who let powerful men do anything. So I am happy with our new President because I think it is time for a change.
Thank you, Susan, for standing up to that remark. Deplorable doesn’t come close to the things DJT has said and done, and his actions are not hearsay because he has been tape recorded. I could never accept those two concepts being equal either.
So voting in hillary would have solved all this division. Trump didn’t take the money, Hillary did. Millions and millions. I am POSITIVE you would not have wriiten this on your site. It would have been let’s pat ourselves on the back we elected a woman. The communist party aligns with the democratic party? So therefore Hillary is a comminist.
No, voting in Hillary would NOT have solved all this division. If you read what I wrote you would know that. Nothing will do it until we stop letting media, corporations, CEOs, etc etc, divide us. But I am beginning to think that ain’t going to happen. Just read what I wrote Michelle. Nobody is a communist.
I was exhausted before this election, and now that it is over, I feel no relief. I started reading this blog post, and most heartily agree that we the people are fundamentally the same. I wish we could go back to the days when even though we had differences we were Americans first and foremost. Now we must have labels and divide ourselves in a thousand ways. I couldn’t finish reading this today . . maybe another time (see exhaustion note above). Thank you for sharing your gifts of love and hearth and home with us. Please continue . . we are in sore need of it.
Me too, those are the days I would like to revisit too… xoxo
Thank you. Thank you for being so brave and true. I have been a fan for most of my adult life. Today, more than any other day, I am proud because I understand the personal cost of not remaining silent. You are an inspiration and a shining example of the beauty of the American dream. Girlfriend forever.
You make me cry Eugenia, thank you.
How very brave and courageous you are Susan Branch. I’m a faithful reader and your optimism is needed now more than ever. I have been astounded by the way individuals who I thought were friends have decided to try and push the most outlandish lies as truth. And indeed, I’ve had to re-evaluate what the word “friend” really means. A friend is someone who will lovingly hold your heart in their hands and never try to demean or hurt you in an unkind way with hostile words and actions. Coming together with individuals whose desire is to be kind no matter what nationality,
sexual-orientation, religion, or any of the labels that are so easily tossed on the “other” to try and divided our world will never accomplish the very difficult task of trying to bring all of us together again.
Ditto. Speaking out from the heart is never wrong. You are the quote queen – was it Edmund Burke who said “all it takes for evil to flourish is for good men to do nothing”? You’re a good person, Susan Branch, and I thank you for putting to words what I’ve been thinking. And thank you, Eugenia, for saying what is in a lot of our hearts.
Girlfriends Forever!
Pardon this afterthought, but wanted to share that my husband, in the sign business, wanted to put a political campaign sign on his business truck and I firmly disagreed. He also considered putting the same on one of the billboards we own along Highway 41 and again, I strongly discouraged that action.
Mixing politics and business can have a bad result. Our differing views don’t disturb me at all, and I won’t stop patronizing your art, but in this time of social media connections, people can and will sever ties over such and boycott products. You acknowledged that at the end of your post, and only in the future will you fully know if it was worth it.
I know they will. But I’m not afraid. I’m almost 70. I won’t be doing this forever. If for some reason this ends my career, well it’s probably almost over anyway and I don’t care. I have done the best I could all my life, and if the world has gone so nuts that me wanting to show how we are being drawn apart actually makes people hate me, well so be it. I’m not scared.
You are to be commended for standing by your values.
Here’s another side of the equation. My husband is a very physically strong and fit 62-year-old man, but I feared for his physical safety should he put a campaign ad on his business truck. Surely you have seen the footage of a man being brutally beaten and kicked and having his car taken–for being a Trump supporter.
The billboard my husband spoke of using for the conservative cause is next door to both the business and primary residence of an African American couple whom we love dearly, have had a good relationship with for over 25 years. I feared someone might vandalize their business or home–that factored into my insistence that the billboard not be used for political purposes.
The hate really is out of hand. Enterprises for profit and livelihood would be wiser, in my opinion, to not alienate their customer base with personal politics.
You now say you don’t care if your words lead to an end of your career. I’m genuinely happy for you that you are in a place where you can afford to do that, but disappointed that the thrust of your work–beauty and loveliness–has now become a potential sacrificial lamb and something you were passionately speaking against–division.
You’ve brought too much happiness into people’s lives to allow your talent and work to be reduced to this.
Could not love your reply more.
Well, it’s true. No regrets, only gratitude in the deepest part of me.😘
Susan, I love you and have since the beginning. I believe we have so much in common and would be BFFs if we lived near each other. The peace, love, and rock and roll generation of the 60’s lost the spirit, got complacent, and left the fight for justice. Maybe it’s time we “hippies” get back to work! I’ve sent my check to Pro Publico, Planned Parenthood, and the Southern Poverty Law Center. And I’m passing your blog around! Love from Yvonne in Michigan.
Right on Sistah!!!
LOL, how I love my girlfriends!
Well (and bravely) said! And one thing for everyone to remember ~~ Hillary WAS elected the President by the people of our country. We need to unite to eliminate the use of the Electoral College. This was NOT the first election in which this happened.
Thank you for your post. We all need to take a deep breath and realize the 24×7 news cycles are a big part of the problem in our country. And after the results of this election, we all need to stop listening to polls until they can scientifically do something in order to increase their competence. ♡
Thank you so much Chris!
Again, your willingness to speak from your heart and to use your good sense is exactly what I believe is at the heart of this message. The fact that you are willing to speak your own truth as an individual in your country, rather than being concerned about how your opinion “might” affect your business or popularity, goes to the core of what humanity is all about. Care for your fellow man. Do unto others…
Well done Susan. I’m not American but boy do you stand for what I believe in as a fellow human being.
Well, that is very nice to hear Debby, I feel honored. xoxo
I’ll love you forever, Susan. If you never did one more thing like a calendar or book, I’d be sad, but I’d love what I have from you always. You have brought love and light, peace and hope into my life with your caring soul, beautiful art and lovely photos. It took me awhile to catch up with everything, but I now have a little library full of Susan. I have your calendars on the wall. I have things from your store in my house. Comfort and joy. As said by others, you are the Beatrix of our generation. I hope you don’t retire but, if you did at 70, you deserve it. And your courage in speaking your mind, which is your RIGHT, is awesome. I’m sure your comfort zone right now would be Thanksgiving, cozy at home, first snowfall, the winter beach, Christmas, recipes and baking, candles, decorations; drawing, painting and LIVING, creating beauty wherever your are with those around you who mean everything to you, like Joe and Jack and all your human friends and wildlife friends. Politics ain’t it. So, to go outside your comfort zone, to express what’s in your heart and mind…knowing what a hotbed of opinions and tension are out there…is TRULY BRAVE. “Stand up for right in every situation, no matter what the world may say or do.” (A saying from a book I’ve had for 46 years, written for teen girls growing into the Big World. Will always hold up!)
Love that Vicki, thank you so much. I just hope to shine a little light on this thing… so sad to hear the anger, even from the people who’s candidate won. Sad for all of us.
I love you more than ever because you have the courage to say what you feel. You have the intelligence to think it through and write about it so clearly, and you have the platform… your own, developed over years… it is yours to use as you see fit. I’ll still be here reading your blogs, as will many others. Thank you for writing this out so clearly and for standing by it.
Good for you, Susan. We cannot be afraid of speaking out because ‘maybe business will suffer.’ That’s wrong. You have a right to address whatever you want to address on your blog. It’s your blog. Bless you for writing from your heart, speaking words of truth.
good for you. You are entitled to express your opinion and I think you did it very well. Maybe more of us should have been more upfront and louder expressing ours. I don’t know if Donald met with the KKK, but we do know the David Duke and his backers said his election was the best thing that ever happened to them. Not all media are bias and there are places to find out the truth about things but not by watching certain channels and accepting whatever they say as gospel.
All we can ever do in life is the best we can do. And you have! I can’t imagine someone hating you for writing your heart. I support you 100%!
You speak the truth. Sending you a big hug❣️
As someone who lives on Highway 41 (in the Upper Peninsula) I thank you 🙂
Thank you for your blog, Susan. You did it “perfectly”. Love, Linda
Love back. xoxo
Susan, Bravo! I agree with what you’ve written, hard as it has been to write. Yes, I am an unrepentant liberal democrat but hardly an elite. I live in a furnished studio apt because I can never afford to buy in this city. I was “retired” from my job a few years when they outsourced it overseas. In spite of this I don’t blame the president. I think people forget technology has replaced humans. My financial planner got rid of her secretary a few years ago and does the work herself to cut down on costs. Walmart got rid of a lot of “human” cashier stations and put in those scan and pay ones. If you’re using them STOP and take the time and go to a real human cashier you’re helping a fellow American to feed and cloth their kids. Those factories they want to “bring” back will be highly automated and not require a lot of people. We need to educate our youth for new careers in new industry. Nothing stays the same. Something that didn’t get much talk this election with all the drama is medicare, medicaid and Social Security. Paul Ryan wants privatize and cut them. George Bush wanted to privatize when he was in office it but the stock market took a dump a few years back, which stopped that talk. People, Social Security is not an entitlement We Americans paid into it when we worked. It’s galling Paul Ryan wants the government to wash their hands of it after taking our money all these years. Social Security doesn’t just help seniors, but families when the breadwinner dies, disable people. We need to expand and continue through the government not through private account tied to the stock market! Yell this at your politicians. Sorry, Susan I got carried away. PS It was a witch hunt on Hillary Clinton, if she was a man it wouldn’t have been as ugly.
It took a while for me to read this because I had to keep fishing for more tissues😥.Thank you for so beautifully phrasing why we are angry, why we are frightened, what we dread, and what we morn the loss of. I looked at the pictures taken at your signings last year…the first few were taken at New Hope in PA.How happy we all were that day! I found myself in the first picture, and there’s sweet Georgie in another showing you the beautiful scarf she made from your fabric. Time flies by so quickly anymore, but that day seems much further away than 6 months.Our political climate was the last thing on anyone’s mind in the room that beautiful day in May.Bless you Susan, bless Joe too. We are heading to WV to spend time with my darling 91 year old mom through Thanksgiving. Wifi is sketchy down there, so I’ll catch up with you when we return. Safe travels…I hope you can make a cozy cocoon on the boat and sleep like a baby, because in our country I’m afraid we are facing “miles to go before we sleep.”
“Mourn the loss of” — so poignant, and so true. Yes, our day in New Hope was heavenly. Kisses for your mom please, from us. xoxo
I haven’t read this yet, and I probably won’t. The first thing my eyes fell on as I saw it, was “a man who grabs a woman byher private parts,” or something to that effect. I don’t like Donald Trump, but I am far more concerned about a woman who does nothing while terrorists apply a cattle prod to the private parts of a U.S. Ambassador, then says “what difference does it make.”
I wasn’t the only one who begged you not to do a post like this. I read several similar tweets on your account. I don’t think you are going to enjoy the fall out from it.
No, the difference is, Donald SAID he grabbed women by their private parts. And what you said is something you heard, from someone who could not possibly have been there, otherwise they stood by and let it happen too. I am not afraid of fall out. I am afraid of how we are being manipulated with lies to believe outrageous things. There’s plenty of outrageous truth to deal with, we don’t need lies too.
Deb – we are lucky that Susan has provided a venue for open discussion. My hope is that disagreements be presented in a respectful manner and posts not add to the rhetoric. Thanks.
Bravo !!
There is no doubt that he was horribly abused before he died.
Remember too that the Senate refused funding for more security for our embassies.
Now, that is true!
Bravo! Lack of funding is the crime here! No armed forces could have gotten there and we can’t start a war every time there is an incident!
Thank you Deb I agree, some people have blinders on, they can hear and believe only what they want to hear and everything else seems to be a lie. All I keep hearing in this post is…”what difference does it make anyway”. Seems ironic!
Ms. Branch is a world-renowned artist and writer. She felt the need to express her thoughts, because the beautiful feminine life she celebrates in her work is not possible in a country of waning ethics and anti-human policies. Telling her it was a bad idea to express her thoughts, and saying she will not “enjoy the fall out” is like telling a woman to stay in her place if she wants to be happy. That is not the American way, and you should know better.
Agree. Thank you for putting it so well Deb. I do think this post will cause (is causing) division and perhaps Susan expected most to agree with her. Half the country does not.
Not true, JuLee. About HALF of all registered voters did NOT VOTE in this election. That means that only 1/4 of registered voters MIGHT disagree with Susan. Unless you’ve taken a poll, your assertion is an opinion. Also, Hillary won the popular vote, which means that OVER 1/4 of the registered voters in this country disagrees with YOU. Judging by all of the supportive comments, Susan will be just fine. Susan, it’s okay if you don’t want to publish this reply. I just had to address this mathematically.
Have you ever heard the full context of the “what difference does it make” comment, usually they just play that line. I have heard the whole and you may feel different. If we don’t stand up for what we believe than this is not a free nation, so don’t advise people not to express there thoughts, and then not read it and complain.
It’s important to hear those words in context, at least to get their full meaning. If you care about truth and manipulation. I don’t mean that rudely, but it’s very hard to get the full story these days, which is one of the things the media counts on, our short attention span that they can fill up with fast short horrendous-sounding attacks that we all have heard.
Brava, brava Susan! It’s about time someone sensible spoke up. And you said it so eloquently. I just can’t fathom how Trump supporters can justify his words and actions. Every time he had a rally he continued to show that he basically can’t do the job that is required of a president. And already a few days into the transition he has no idea of what he needs to do. God help our country.
It’s a scary time. But more for how split we are than anything else I think. If we get played against each other much more than this, I fear for what could happen.
It is refreshing to have a reputable venue to discuss our post-election fears and feelings. We are Girlfriends, all, and listen to and respect each other. What we say is heard, trusting that basically we are who and what Susan sees in us. We are Love….for our families, friends and each other and we must never forget that!
We are love, xoxoxo
This is exactly how I feel…a discussion where we listen to and respect each other. I am as interested in what the response is to Susan’s post almost as much as the post itself. I do admire you for speaking out, Susan. My ‘seeing the world through rose colored glasses” attitude makes me think there will not be bad fallout from your words, but instead, more discussion. The division in the country is worse and the media are front and center promoting that. There is not any trust in the media, the government, but I trust my friends and family. I am hearing a report right now that is inflammatory in every way. Disgusting!!!
I respect you for writing your feelings. While we might not agree on everything, we do agree we need to have a ton more respect for our fellow Americans. If we all lived out our faith principles (mine Christian) we would be a lot better off. I agree we all have to make sure we listen to is news and not opinion. I think all news feeds need to do some soul searching. Regardless though, as individuals we can plod along bringing goodness and love and happiness and hope it is contagious. Those pictures of all those ladies do show we have more in common than we have differences.
I can love you and your blog and not disagree with all your views. I will still look forward to all your posts and books. Maybe we can model that kind of living for others.
I will continue to pray for my nation and do all I can everyday in my own little neck of the country to show love for all.
Love every word Sandy, thank you. xoxo
Amen Sandy.
Yes, yes, and yes. I live on a street with probably 6-7 different nationalities/ethnicities. It is hard to hear my European neighbor tell me of the prejudice her American-born son (without any accent) receives at school due to the elections. It is hard for my husband to hear his muslim friend tell about his daughter’s tears. It is hard for me to imagine refugees waiting any longer to get here to America. You are right that we have to stick together and not believe the lies. It’s going to be up to us, the common man on the ground, to show love and care, and true American spirit.
Yes, yes yes. Real people, real situations, real experiences.
Dear Susan:
I had been looking for some words from you even before all this – because I knew it would calm the soul and soothe the worries. You are far more sensible than most people we see/hear out there!
I don’t need to take the time to go over everything you wrote – point by point – because I agree with you! I just wanted to thank you for what you have posted – as always coming to this blog has a way of calming things down and giving ME hope – thank you for that!
Oh Rosanna, thank you. xoxo
I will add one more thing – can’t claim it is an original thought – more that it was something I learned from reading history – but it is that you don’t just consider the person/candidate but you need to look at the people surrounding him/her.
As we are seeing right now – it is appears there will be more of the same – if not worse – when it comes to people surrounding the president elect who will push their agendas over all else.
Frankly – I’ll say this and probably get backlash for it – but I don’t care – I’ve read where many people said they thought voting for an “angry old white man” would put the US back on track. That may be true – but you picked the wrong one — Bernie might have been a far better choice! (And now I’ll get down off my little soapbox and go quietly into the other room and make myself a cup of tea.)
Ditto! This is a beautiful post. I agree with “Blog Daddy” – you should’ve written this BEFORE the election. I’m passing it along to everyone I know !!!
Thank you Cathy …💖
Susan- you are very brave to post this, and I applaud you.
I personally support (non-violent) protests.
It is often said “why didn’t a certain people stand up to the rising hate in their country, 83 years ago ? … That government was elected, as well. ”
Whether President Trump REALLY believes (and is planning on doing) everything he promised (and that’s HIGHLY questionable ) … The protests and protesters are putting him on notice that this aspect of the country won’t go along, without a fight.
Your blog is absolutely perfect. Can’t imagine how long it took to think about and even longer to write. I do accept this election but I will never agree to it and I believe in peaceful protests. How else would the country and the world know that so many of us are so frightened and disappointed.
Gratitude will take a person a long way during a hard time. I hope families with disagreements can have peace around their tables at Thanksgiving. For many, it will be their last together, whether they know it or not.
I am WITH you Susan! “Praying and rowing towards the shore”!!!
Thank you.
I too khave been immobilized with despair about the election and our country’s response. I hate the way we are all treating each other. I do not judge anyone for their differences in opinions but I hate the ugly things people are doing and saying with regard to personal attacks. We are human beings with feelings. We have got to stop attacking hate and start promoting love. My way of coping has been to activate my own personal plan of change and hope. I’ve been reading up on charities that I’ve been interested in and donating, buying some products as gifts that help others. I’ve been trying to read both sides of the stories and give the benefit of the doubt and listen to understand and above all be HOPEFUL!! I am being more mindful about what I eat, what I think, I what I do. “We shall overcome.” MLK
I pray for America every night, as I am sure you and all your fans do, as well. I therefore assume it is God’s will that Donald Trump is our President-Elect. It is time for all of us to come together, and get past the nasty election we just witnessed. We are blessed to live in a country that allows us to publicly express our opinions without fear.
Thank you, Susan… well said. It would take me 3 days to write a comment that is worthy of your post 😉 but let me just say that you’re spot on… the fear is real, the manipulation by greedy people/corporations who are above it all is real, and the next 4 years will do unimaginable damage to this country–especially to those who are already marginalized and fearful. And, of course, the damage has already begun. I’ve turned off Facebook (a masterpiece of fear and manipulation). Twitter is tolerable, but disturbing advertising is creeping in. Yes… advertising, greed… follow the money always. Now, I concentrate on what we can do to help moving forward. Some of that is “self-care.” Turn off the TV; turn on the stove and make a cup of tea or hot chocolate. Write a letter–a real letter–to a friend or family member. Draw… read… celebrate the good. Then, move beyond yourself and work for change. And support others who do… especially the young people–they’ve got all the energy! 🙂 A large group of students held a peaceful unity rally yesterday at the university where I work and I was so proud of them! Hope, hope, hope. Best wishes, Susan, and safe journey home. 💖
“Post-truth world”…so TRUE! Truth is rewritten daily to fill the 24 hour news media! Enough already! It appears that morality has sunk to an all time low – that what use to be right is now called wrong and what is so clearly wrong is held up as the standard for right! A world gone mad! May we all make the difference for Truth wherever we are…always!
You are spot on Susan! Now is the time to come together for the good of all of us in our beloved country!
I’m with you 100 percent. OH, you said it so well – I was a bit more undiplomatic on my blog because the anger and sadness and INCREDULOUSNESS I feel is just so overwhelming. For me this vote was not about policy, it was not about gender or ethnicity or that I supported Hillary, although, like you, I know she isn’t the evil incarnate some would like to portray. I voted against racism, hate speech, bigotry, misogyny, total lack of experience, fear mongering, the list goes on. I truly refused to believe half the country would vote for such a personality, regardless of party affiliation. Boy was I wrong. And yes, I think she missed the boat. I think she didn’t hear the voices of the working middle class loud enough. *sigh. SAD sad thing.
Well said Karen. xoxo
Beautifully said! What book is the lovely bungalow above from? Thank you!
Beautifully said, Susan. Thank you so much for writing this. I’ve had trouble sleeping too since the election. The only time I’m not thinking about it is when I’m busy at work. I was so excited that we were going to finally have a woman president. My husband and I were planning on taking our two daughters to the inauguration to see history. Hillary, though far from perfect, was the most qualified person for the job. I’m scared for our country and for people who are already marginalized by society. I’ve started limited the amount of news I read each day because every time I get online, there’s worse. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for writing this heart felt plea. It takes a lot of bravery knowing that many will disagree.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart. I think it all started when we went to more than 4 channels and 24 hour talking heads. We have been driven to this by the need for ratings and advertising revenue. Simplistic but sadly true. You are a treasure. Leslie in Maine
Totally true. They didn’t have enough news to fill the time, so they just started making it up. Note: every storm is now storm of the century.
You are brave, loving and kind. I thank you for writing this from your heart. We, your nearest neighbours in the Great White North, have friends and family who live in the U.S., and we’ve all been watching these events unfold with a mixture of fear and confusion. I guess we will wait and see what unfolds in the next few years but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t worried. However, the only thing I can do right now is to control my own actions and reactions. So I choose hope, and I choose to fight for the rights of others, I choose to move forward not backward, I choose to be kind, and I choose to spread love, not hate.
I would be lying if I said I wasn’t worried. Love to all of us Pamela, we will just have to wait and see.
I live in a small town in the midwest and the local newspaper noticed that there weren’t many political signs in the yards. They started asking around and it turns out that people didn’t want to risk offending their neighbors during such a contentious election.
It showed me that there are places where civility reigns and that people are concerned with their neighbors (which, when you come right down to it, is where our focus should be).
p.s. I realized my comment sounded like a criticism of you expressing your outrage – it wasn’t meant to be. I love what you wrote!
Dear Susan,
I really hope you and Jo have had the most wonderful time here in the U.K.
I was thinking of visiting the National Trust house you are going to later, no testing the ginger bread house 😋
I’m sure your friends will be sad when you leave but oh what wonderful memories you all have to replay.
I know there are important things happening both here and in your home but you have given so much pleasure and happiness to so many, I’m sure lots of your girlfriends will be bouncing it all back to you.
Enjoy your last few days here, I would love to have met you both.
Have a safe and cozy trip home.
Take care
Jann x
Sorry Joe missed the e off 🙄 x
Susan, for the first time I could not read your blog. It’s not that I am a strong supporter of Trump, but oppose Hillary so much. I feel that the polarization and divisiveness in our country today was fostered by Obama and the Democrats over the last eight years. The Hillary supporters are chanting “Not my president” but for these past eight years I have been feeling “Not my country.” I am anxious about the direction Trump will take the country, but I am willing to wait and see before I rush to judgement. I’m also curious to know–did you reject Bill Clinton as strongly as you reject Trump when it became evident that he had repeatedly committed rape?
Amen Sister!
Robert Shetterly, an artist based in Maine, has done a series of portraits, People Who Speak the Truth. See him online. I am recommending you to be included. Am pushed for time, and any reply will take thought, much as what you posted was given thought, not just about recent events, but from being observant over a lifetime, the same lifetime as mine….1945 to present.
I love you, Susan Branch. But….monitor your health, getting into a debate with those with no desire to examine their beliefs and respect those of others is a black hole. Some minds will be opened a tiny crack by those who are loved, such as you, Dear Susan. But please be aware the cost to you. You are so smart and wise, so you will probably be absolutely OK. Off to face the busy day.
Debbie now in Tampa
Yes, Americans have more in common than that which divides us. How I appreciate you putting to voice what I have been feeling since the election. Thank you! Have a safe trip home.
Dear Susan,
Thank you for putting into words the feelings I have had the past week. After several days of feeling lost I know now that we all have to look out for each other. We can no longer assume that ‘someone’ will take care of things. We are the ‘someone’. And that love is the answer. As it always has been. Safe travels for you and Joe.
Susan,
Your blog was long but the writing of it was surely healing. Writing is such a blessing as an emotional outlet. I am grateful for the right to speak my beliefs!!! Thank you for leaning into your feelings – no matter the length of the essay. Stay true to your calling: bringing people together with love and light. Keep shining! The enemy wants us divided and angry. We will overcome with peace and service while protecting those in danger. Sexual harassment will not be tolerated!!!!! Surround yourself with positive minded people and do not respond to every comment that attacks your beliefs. Pick your battles. Save your energy for creating beauty. Breathe. Have a cup of tea. I am on the lookout for a female politician who will break that glass ceiling. I am with her. Peace be with you. And us all. Everyone go do some goodwill today.
Dear Susan,
I have lost track of time how long I have been a great fan of your work. It took courage to write your post. Yes, I don’t agree politically with you but I am not going anywhere! We all are sisters connected with the desire for beauty, love, nature and peace. Your artwork, blog and photo’s bring me all of these! Just because people don’t see eye to eye with each other does not mean we are enemies and have permission to say hateful comments back and forth to each other. Your message of love is very appreciated! We all need to remember that we are daughter’s of a Heavenly Father and need to set a great example especially at this time to our youth who are watching closely. Thank you again Susan. Looking forward to your next post on your blog!
Thank you Susan! 💕
Susan, lets face it, neither individual running for office was a great choice, I think as a country many would agree with that. However, it came down to one point for me and that is the issue of abortion. Unfortunately I don’t see it as a choice, I can’t get around what they do to little babies and we all are brushing it off as if we are just getting a mole removed. Look at life in the womb, look at the pictures since we have such fantastic technology these days then actually research, watch and understand what abortion is and does. We have full organizations in this country that protect our wildlife, owls in the trees, fish in the ocean but human life is removed from that? I just don’t understand. And I’m saddened and surprised that you, who creates from a heart of joy and tenderness feels that the person who made stupid comments 11 years ago is worse than the person who stands up for killing babies as late as the day before they can be born.
I was sad to see to see that you got political. I wanted to read about your trip.
Thank you for writing this. I think it was brave–how much easier to not say a word! I agree that there has been a concerted effort to divide people on the part of corporations and institutions that profit from our division. I also agree that we all have more in common than we think. I wish we could approach one another with more kindness and curiosity and less judgment and intolerance. I’m hearing a lot of hate on both sides of the political divide, and it upsets me greatly. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness,” Dr. King wrote, “only light can do that. Hatred cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.”
Anyway, if you lose support/business/girlfriends over this, I will be happy to support you twice over, buy twice as many books (write more, please!), and be your friend forever more. I had a terrible summer this past summer, and re-reading your books got me through it. I owe you!
This election was a cry for change for sure! However, I could not really read your post. Even though I agree with some points I did read, the energy of it felt fearful and desperate. Which I can understand is a natural feeling right now for many Americans. It is for me too. (I’m Canadian) But I come to this site to rise above “this reality.” To rise above fear. What we focus on grows. Feeding our anxieties and worries makes them bigger. (And harder to sleep!) I am focusing on how Trump can surprise us all. On how this election can prompt Americans to get it right the next time. On how the political landscape can improve in the future. We must be very careful of our thoughts at this time and choose every one wisely. Instead of focusing our efforts on trying to convince others to see it our way, we can focus them on the fact that love will trump hate. (pun intended:) We can surrender our fears in faith and trust. “This too shall pass.” I respect that you were willing to loose fans over this. You haven’t lost me…but no more political posts! LOL
Reply for me?
You go girl! I chose to give money to a non-profit who recently lost funding to provide Thanksgiving meals. I was NOT born with the happy gene but WAS born with the “do some good in the world” gene. I figured spreading some kindness may be a salve for my soul.
Safe travels and my best to you and Joe!
Jenny
Oh dear Susan, I am so sorry that we are in a place that you needed to write this. Your every word reflects my thoughts and feeling. My heart is broken that this is what our country has become. My heart hurts for my grandchildren. We are letting greed and power ruin our American Dream. I agree with you about the media. It’s influence is intensified because we seem to only watch and listen to who is on “our team.” Thank you for speaking from your heart. We all need to speak from our hearts as well as listen with our hearts. Bless you for your courage.
Love, Lani
Thank you Susan for using your platform to spread love…not hate. I too have not been able to sleep or eat or think of anything else. I feel like our country just stepped back in time. Yesterday I finally had to unplug from all news sources to make myself feel better. It did help. again thank you for your love and insight and lovely lovely blog. What a joy you are!!!! Xoxo xox Jennifer
Susan – you are brave,, articulate…your words….I am almost without words….so many of us have had a dull headache since Tuesday, hiding under covers, trying to sleep….it is NOT political at all – because the president-elect and the team he chooses, makes decisions that impact all parts of our lives – that is not politics – that is civil rights, human rights, children, education, health, the environment, humane treatment of people who are without homes, how we treat women, people of color, to be safe from gun fire in our schools and places of worship – that is NOT political – it is our life – now our life is in the hands of someone who is divisive, who is not educated about our world affairs, who is a reality TV person…..your encouragement for us to be with our friends, to walk, to care for each other is needed – and to not blame each other….even people I love voted for the divisive person – I will go on loving them, never understanding, crying for what we could have been as a country – a friend said a good thing that has happened is that maybe we will become more involved in groups, projects, community activities that build, that help children, women live full lives….I just never imagined, that in 2016, we would be fighting so hard for women’s rights, children’s rights, people of color’s rights…..you are brave, Susan Branch, and I read every word…..you are loved and cherished and I thank you from my heart.
Thank you for this – I’m in the UK and to be honest, was as ‘gobsmacked’ over the US result as I was over Brexit. Divide and conquer. I grew up during the height of the Cold War, and used to worry, as a CND card carrier, about the future of our world. Then after 1989 things seemed to calm down for a while, but here we are, on the same old roller coaster again, what with Putin’s hubris, Boris Johnson’s buffoonery (don’t get me wrong, the man has a mind like a steel trap underneath the haystack hair, but plays to the gallery), and now Trump, pretending to be a man of the people and BOASTING about not paying his fair share of tax. And people admiring him for it. Unbelievable.
Free speech is all well and good, but why does most of it have to be so downright nasty.
Susan thank you for putting some of my thoughts into words. We truly are in this together. Amen I say to you and thank you for taking me along on this trip. I have had the time of my life. Godspeed to you and Joe on your journey home. Jack is awaiting your return with open arms. ” Love will keep us together “❤️
Oh Susan, I am so grateful and proud of you for writing this. You have so eloquently put into words everything that I have been thinking and feeling. I am not so brave and I have been afraid to say what is in my heart. I have many friends and family that feel differently from me and I am so worried that it may cause an irreparable rift. The whole thing just makes me so gosh darn sad. I have two daughters and I worry for them and their futures. The day after the election I was so upset that I just tuned out the world, refused to turn on the television. I have been doing like you and settling myself in my own reality…Home, Music, quilting and planning for the holidays. I know it may seem as if I am like an ostrich sticking my head in the sand, but for me it’s the only way I can cope. Some people would say these things are trivial, but for me It’s the very stuff of life.
Thank you for being you. Have a safe trip home. Even thought we don’t really know each other, I have truly missed you and will be happy when I know you are back home . Sending Lots of love and feeling blessed that there are people like you in this world. <3
It seems that some people are making an awful lot of money trying to divide Americans into two camps and convince each camp that the other side is ignorant, hateful, un-American, unpatriotic, etc. When it seems to me that we are all, at heart, pretty much alike. We want children to have a safe place to sleep, enough to eat, good schools. Same for older people – and all of us, really. Safety, peace, love. It’s the details that trip us up. How, exactly, do we get these things? Each “side” has a right way and a wrong way. Cynicism and fear fuel it all. And it is so sad, and, it seems, so unnecessary. We would be so much stronger together than we could ever be apart! Loved your post, and I hope people who disagree with some of your views took the time to read the entire thing with an open mind and, most importantly, an open heart. It seemed to me to be a plea for coming together, and really, who doesn’t want that? I think we all do, even if we forget it sometimes. Sending much love and warmest wishes to you and Joe!
I wish so much that you had been able to make me feel better but you said what I have felt. The world would be horrified if “media” dies or was taken away but I too feel it is the source of most of our fear and sadness. Even the news stations that feel they present”both sides” are guilty of fomenting the hostility.
I am one of those “lesser”(tho educated) people who have a firm belief that God is in control, and that even if America must feel more pain , as other countries already have, He has a plan and those of us that agree to that will ultimately be blessed – that is the ONLY thing I can count on.
PLEASE keep telling me all the good things to think about so I can keep on keeping on.
Dear Susan,
One of the things I love most about you is the way in which you share your heart. You care deeply & passionately from deep in your soul, as do I…
When I became a follower of Jesus Christ in 1976 & I submitted to His Amazing Grace, He became the Lord of my life & I put all of my fears, frustrations & feuds into His very capable and willing Hands. Thank the Lord, since that day, my heart has had total peace for over 40 years!
In 2Timothy verse 3, the Apostle Paul wrote, “This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come”. I believe we’re at the most important time in our history. We’re witnessing right before our eyes, a Holy War being waged between good & evil. The stage is being set for Jesus to return!
I truly believe the Bible when it says: “If My people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14 This is my deepest prayer and heartfelt wish for America!
Love & prayers for a very merry voyage!
Bunny XO
youtube.com/watch?v=Hixw9UCskik
Susan, you spoke all the thoughts of my own head and heart in this post. Like you, I am worried beyond imagination and frantically searching for hope for our country. I am grateful that there will be people like you in these next years to remind us of what we still have that can never be taken away by Trump. Your posts and art help keep alive that sweetness of a home that we can and must still have. We will need a refuge stronger than ever to gather our energies to do our part in our communities, state, and nation to stem the tide of this awful divided nation. When we have safe places, we can think more clearly about elections, opportunities locally to improve and make life better for those who live there. They say that all politics are local. Perhaps that saying is right. When we know how to do good things at home, we are embolden to carry them forward for others. But like you say, we must be informed with the facts, ignore the rhetoric that floats all of our media outlets, and work hard to get better people elected.
Thank-you for your post today. We need each other more than ever to find solace and hope for the task ahead of uniting our country through common ground and compromise.
Amen, Susan! (and I haven’t even finished reading, because I’m at work)
I work with a very diverse (age, gender, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation), small nonprofit in Illinois that works with people of faith (all faiths – everyone is welcome) on environmental issues. My colleagues are worried – for themselves, for their families, for our work. I’m worried.
Care for each other has to come before insane profits. Trickle down economics don’t work – we know this, as it’s been tried and failed. The marketplace does not self-regulate for health care, otherwise the 22 million people who now are covered and who weren’t before the Affordable Care Act wouldn’t have had to go without health insurance for so long. (Illinois had a 15% rate of uninsured before ACA, now it’s 5% – a million people covered who weren’t before! That’s wonderful!)
I have more, but you said it better. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Susan, for speaking up.
Thank you Susan, from the bottom, top and middle of my hurting heart! DT’s election made me feel like a crazy person, alone in the woods. I’m so grateful for you, for speaking the truth. Please don’t take angry criticism to heart, the folks who were fooled were really and truly hoodwinked. You’re my new hero! xxoo
The deciding issue for me was that of life.
I did not vote for Donald Trump, I voted for the platform he represents. I find his comments and behavior as eggregious as you do, but I COULD NOT vote for a candidate whose platform addamently defends the killing of babies in the womb.
It is not a fetus, it is a baby. No one announces to their friends and family “I’m having a fetus!”. Babies are only called a ‘fetus’ when they aren’t wanted. A woman gives birth to a human being, not a kitten, not a puppy. What is growing inside of her is a human being. It is alive…anything that is growing is alive…and it is a human being.
I could not vote for the platform that advocates the killing of babies, so I voted for the platform that affirms life is precious and that babies deserve the right to be born.
Dearest, dearest Susan!
I agree with everything here 200%! I’ve had tears all through the reading of this! How I wish these words could have been heard by everyone much, much earlier! There is so much I’d love to say. No longer am I remaining silent! I am filled with a sense of foreboding and fear that is unlike anything I’ve felt before. Plans to begin phone calls to Washington are underway. This is so unlike me. While I’ve never curled up and crawled off into a corner, I’ve been a rather “silent” activist. I just cannot believe we are going to have the next four years with this kind of government. We must not be silent!! Fascism cannot win!!
Thank you for this, Susan. I thought I was the only one waking up at 3:30 in the morning full of foreboding. I don’t recognize my country anymore. I did not think this could happen, but I didn’t think Brexit would either. You are brave to speak out and I admire you more than ever.
Susan, the America you left on that sunny afternoon in September is not the America you will be returning to. I have spent the week since the election fighting major depression and by nature I am not depressed. Reading your older blogs, (Behind the scenes with Yankee Magazine, Kitchen Update, Minutia are just a few), have helped bring some normalcy back into my life and have given me some peace of mind. Also exercising and hard work bring relief and a sense of accomplishment.
I do have anger but more so is this underlying fear. I have spent the last eight years giving government and policies little attention because I felt like President Obama would always do the right thing for this country. Now the fear that many of us feel is real and cannot be dismissed. Thank you for saying what you feel from the heart. That took so much courage on your part. Thank you for speaking up against the hate rhetoric that has engulfed us.
The relief I had anticipated when the election was over, never came. The new normalcy needs time to sink in and be absorbed. Until then I will be relying on your kind words and thoughts to get me through my day. Love!
Amen Susan! I cannot read the comments because those who disagree with you disturb me even more than the election. My coping strategy right now is to disconnect from news, Facebook, etc. My stomach cannot bear it. I am trying to remember that the two previous worst days of my life were 9/11 and the day my husband was diagnosed with cancer, keeping in mind that we came out on the other side of both of those events and praying that we will come out on the other side of this one. I am rereading Harry Potter, watching Ferris Bueller, and making quilts to maintain my sanity. I am also looking forward to future posts about your wonderful trip.
I have tears in my eyes reading your blog. I am so shocked about what happened in the USA and England. I am from Holland and we have this crazy Geert Wilders. We have elections in march 2017 and I am very much afraid. In Holland we need politicians too who are brave, but one after the other is trying to get voters from Geert Wilders by saying the same things he said. It makes me so angry and powerless. I will read your blog sometimes more to give me a little hope.
Whew! I’m exhausted reading this, you must be exhausted from writing it. I always love it when people say what they have to say with respect and kindness. I think we are going to have to pray a lot and work hard. For today, I have Christmas orders to fill and happiness to spread. This time of year my best seller is a Baby’s First Christmas porcelain shoe ornament. I always tell my customers that I hope these little shoes become precious family heirlooms, that is what I will continue to hope, pray and work hard for….a safe place to grow happy, productive, free families who can treasure old things and be awed by new things.
I am exhausted to the nth degree, grateful for the understanding, sad for the hurt, and determined that each voice be heard. I’ve read something like 1400 comments, and still have another 1000 to go … its all meaningless to me now. My heart breaks at our separation, and my hope is that the premise of my blog will be heeded, that we are being separated for profit by the powers that be. Most of all, my cup runneth over with love, and Thanksgiving for all. We are the world, we are the children . . .
Thank you for your words. I, too, am struggling with how to react to the horrific results of this election. When I look at the appointments that Trump is making, I’m terrified. Your words give me hope, and that is in scarce supply these days.
Thank you so much for being brave and saying what was in your heart. You expressed so well the heartache I have been feeling since election day and the worry for our future. As I wrote to my then college freshman son in 2001 a few days after 9-11 when we were trying to make sense of what had happened and find a way to go on, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” Hope you have a safe journey home and a wonderful Thanksgiving:)
I am proud of you! Courage, my dear Courage , as those who read, or didn’t read, hurl arrows toward the oak tree. Your song from beginning to end will still be found in the heart of true friends (apologies to Longfellow).
Dear Susan,
Thanks so much for writing your thoughts – I’ve been walking around for days in a fog. I didn’t realize until reading your blog what exactly was the matter. I too have spent my lifetime trying to rise above “bad things”. I don’t think this makes us shallow people – we’re realists. I think we try to make the best of things – even when some of them are truly horrible! I do keep hearing my grandmothers and mothers voice whispering – Actions speak louder than words – and this too will pass. Hopefully we are all still here happy and healthy in four years. Your girlfriends love you and always will!! Safe travels and thank you so much for coming home. We need you more now than ever.
Thank you for this post. I think it helps all of us to discuss and express our feelings and you said it very well. Like you and many of my friends, I have felt unsettled, worried, trouble sleeping, trouble understanding the outcome of this election. This is the first time I have cried over a presidential election and I have a long track record of voting. I cried not because a “republican” was elected, I cried because abusive behavior toward women, minorities, religious choice and so many others has been validated with this election outcome. I know we are better than this.
What I intend to do now is to become more active – donate to causes you believe in. You can donate your money or your time. You can also respectfully write to your congressmen and women and even the President. I have and will continue. We may have differences of opinions, but like you, I agree that we have more in common and need to find that common ground to move forward. Can we have a big group hug now? 🙂
Thank you for your brave comments. Thank you for being truthful, heartfelt, and hopeful. You mirrored many of my thoughts, too. I have four beautiful grandkids that I worry over. Will they get hurt at school, the playground or in their own home? Will they be able to afford college and have good health care? I thought we moved away from division and hatred, but no. This election and the years previous have broken my heart. We need to be forces of good to overcome the forces of hate.
Well, that is a well written post, and I couldn’t agree with you more! I am ready to run YOUR campaign for President! God Bless You Susan, and God Bless America. Love, Becky in Oklahoma
I’ve been feeling quite somber lately, due to all of this strife in the world. I woke up this morning and thought “I need Susan to post again–she always cheers me up” and here you are! As I read this I kept hearing Maya Angelou’s voice saying “We are more alike, my friends, than we are unalike.” I’m hoping calm heads prevail, strong emotions subside, and that we don’t dissolve relationships based on political party, when, in the grand scheme, isn’t that as arbitrary as favoring coffee over tea, or purple over orange? The world needs both, even if you don’t care as much for one or the other. Sending you hugs, and thanking you for this beautiful message!
Thank you for writing this wonderful blog. I agree with you 1000%. I needed your words to help with my grieving for our country. Yes, it is real grief. Exhaustive grief. I pray things will improve, but have little hope that will happen. And that, too makes me sad that I have such little hope.
For anyone interested in contacting your congressman or congresswoman….. Here’s the congressional switchboard number: 202 224 3121. After a couple of prompts whether you want to leave message for house or senate member, a young staffer will take your comments and ask for your name and your zip code. Be nice, be polite but by all means let congress know how you feel about certain appointees and policies. A suggestion —- you might want to keep this number handy as I have a feeling we will be using it a lot over the next 4 years.
Again, Susan, thank you for these comforting words of wisdom and thank you for helping to bring some clarity and sanity into our lives. We need your words and thoughts now more than ever.
Safe travels to you and Joe on QM. Love transatlantic crossings. Have done quite a few on QE2 and later on QM. xoxo
Your comments made about Donald Trump are astoundingly naive. I believe a very small percentage of men have not said something like that…certainly they have thought it.
Of course, Trump is not perfect, but I believe it will be seen in the days to come that he is what America needs at this crucial time.
What do you think about the fact that Mrs. Clinton had people performing at her rallies saying things like Jay Z and Beyonce said? Their “music” is vulgar and extremely offensive. What do you think about the fact that Mrs. Clinton has received millions of dollars from countries who do not respect women and who execute homosexuals?
With an open mind, you need to take the time to research about Mrs. Clinton. Don’t just believe the media, but really research it for yourself to see what is actually true and what is actually false.
I appreciate your beautiful work and have enjoyed your books immensely.
So perfectly said dear Susan. I, too was born with the happy gene, and it is very hard to swim to the top of this flooded land to breath in air. However, we must do as you have said: focus on our commonalities, be informed by facts, not fear and unfounded “news,” then go out and work for the common good! Thank you for every word you have written. May God bless us as we work to bless America. Welcome home to you and Joe. I so look forward to hearing from you again. And just a word of advice for anyone who cares to listen to me: stay off Twitter and Facebook as I believe these outlets have added to the fear and confusion in our precious world. Love, love, love.
You are brave and articulate, Susan, and I appreciate all you said. We have to be vigilant now to the consequences of this hate-filled election on our own families and communities and bring a peaceful hand to every situation we see. I’ve been in a state of mourning since the night of November 8 and I don’t want to be talked out of it because I’m afraid that then I’ll be accepting the status quo. Thank you for taking the time, the risk to put your thoughts out there! We women ‘of a certain age’ may not be reflected or respected in the White House, but we know our wisdom and love and community involvement is powerful and must make a difference in our own worlds.
Being a Dane living in Denmark, american elections is ofcourse none of my business, you could say….but we a scared… what will happen…will the US leave us to Putin – and so on Oh it is harsh times. All my love to you
Thank you for your posting. My heart and mind feel we have been abandoned by Washington. The very people we elect seem to forget about us once they gain office. The media doesn’t help. I’m trying to stay positive and pray often. My goal is to spend more time with the people I care about and to be kinder to everyone. All I can do is control my little piece of the world. I’ve missed your postings and I’m glad you are heading home. xoxoxo
Thank you, Susan. I’ve written extensively about this on my blog. I’ve lost readers, but so be it. This election was too important and last Tuesday was shocking and terrifying. I agree with everything you’ve written here today. I applaud you for writing this post. Your words and your take on it are refreshing. I’ve linked to your post in my blog post today.
We are better than this. I know we are.
xo
Claudia
Thank you for your words, my wish is that all will take a breath and think about what is right and good for this country. I appreciate discussing ideas from all angles. I hope our Congress and Senate will employ this again. May God bless you and all my web”girlfriends”. They give me hope.